HC Deb 29 June 1993 vol 227 cc483-4W
Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of' State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that, if a social fund officer requires a condemnation report when considering a social fund application for a fuel appliance, the Benefits Agency should meet the cost of a provisional report;

(2) if he will amend social fund guidelines to ensure that the Benefits Agency should bear the cost of a condemnation report for a social fund application for a fuel appliance if one is required by the agency.

Mr. Scott

Guidance currently requires social fund officers to decide each application on its merits and I have no plans to change this. Where a condemnation—or provisional—report is produced the social fund officer will usually include its cost in any award made.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to respond to the recommendations made by the Social Security Advisory Committee on its report entitled "The Social Fund: A New Structure".

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 22 June 1993 at column165.