§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average sum paid by way of living expenses entitlements for prisoners on home leave, payable to their partner or relatives by paragraph 6304 of the social fund manual; in how many cases the notional entitlement is below the £30 threshold; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that this information is not available. However I am pleased to say that Secretary of State's direction 28, which prevents the award of community care grants for amounts below £30, has been amended today. The revised direction provides an exception to enable community care grants to be awarded under paragraph 6304 of the social fund manual in such cases where living expenses are calculated at less than £30.