§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit review boards have sat in each year since 1984; and what was the number of successful appellant reviews during each of these years.
§ Miss WiddecombeData on review boards are not available for years prior to 1988–89. Based on information, which has not been validated, from 362 out of a total of 483 local authorities, the number of housing benefit cases submitted to a review board in 1988–89 was 2,213, of which 481 resulted in revised determinations. For 1989–90, on the basis of 320 returns, the figures were 2,336 and 530 respectively, but determinations in favour of the appellant are not separately recorded.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will place in the Library an amendment or an addendum to the housing benefits guidance manual to incorporate the provisions for a period in which persons who it is alleged have received an overpayment of housing benefit may make offers for repayment or appeals in respect of overpayment decisions prior to recovery action, as incorporated in the overpayment recovery guide for his Department.
§ Miss WiddecombeDepartmental officials are currently working on a number of amendments to the housing benefits guidance manual. Among them will be enhanced guidance on overpayments which will reflect the overpayments recovery guide as regards the action to be taken prior to the commencement of a recovery. The amended guidance will be placed in the Library.