§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to Annex 1 of the Annual Report on the Social Fund, why only 25 per cent. of applications for Community Care Grants were successful, whether they are satisfied with this situation, and, if not, whether they are taking any steps to remedy it; and,
Further to paragraph 1.22 of the Annual Report on the Social Fund, whether they will supply a breakdown of the 813,000 applicants who were found ineligible for Community Care Grants in 1992–93, how many of them received other help from the benefit system, and for what benefits they should have applied instead.
§ Lord HenleyInformation on the refusal of Community Care Grant applications is shown in Annexes 8 and 9 of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's annual report on the Social Fund for 1992–93, which was published on 13th July, a copy of which is in the Library. The report makes it clear that 90 per cent. of refusals were because the basic eligibility criteria were not met, and that 75 per cent. of eligible applications resulted in an award. Data on individual applicants is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We are satisfied that the discretionary Social Fund has succeeded in helping very large numbers of people, through both grants and loans.