§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to be able to resolve the still outstanding claim for child benefit, from the Rev. John Macleod, of Ross-shire, on whose behalf the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye wrote to him on 13 February and 13 March; why an interim payment has not been made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThere is no outstanding claim for child benefit but I am aware of an outstanding claim for family credit from Mrs. Macleod. Claims for family credit are decided by the independent adjudicating authorities and we cannot interfere in their decisions. I understand that the adjudication officer dealing with Mrs. Macleod's claim is awaiting further information from her before being able to decide the claim. As my noble Friend, Lord Skelmersdale said in his letter to the hon. Member on 8 March 1989, the claim about which the hon. Member wrote on 23 January 1989 was decided on 1 March 1989 when an award of £41.60 a week was made. As a result of an appeal to the social security appeal tribunal, the decision was revised to £58.57 a week and arrears were paid on 1 December 1989.