§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance is given to social fund officers regarding the priority given to resettlement grants to those leaving prison;
(2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that resettlement grants to those leaving prison are given high priority in all areas of the country.
§ Mr. ScottPeople leaving prison are among those specifically included in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's list of groups normally to be given priority for community care grants. Guidance on priority groups is contained in the social fund guide, in the Library. However, it is for each individual social fund officer, who acts independently, to decide the priority of an application after fully considering all the circumstances of the particular case.