§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will amend the social fund manual to give effect to the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security on 15 December 1987, Standing Committee E,Official Report, column 638, that, when a social fund officer arranges for an applicant to be interviewed following an application for a review, the applicant will be given a written explanation of the reasons for the social fund officer's decision before he attends the interview.
§ Mr. PortilloSocial fund officers' decisions will be notified by letter. Where payment is refused, or is awarded to a lesser extent than that claimed, the letter will always include the reasons for the decision. Applicants will therefore be aware of the reasons for the decision before the interview, and no amendment to the social fund manual is required to accomplish this.