§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance is used by Ministers in determining requests to exercise discretion in relation to individual benefit cases; and if he will place a copy of that guidance in the Library; [76239]
(2) on what grounds the Secretary of State rejected the request by the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire to use his discretion in the case of the overpayment of benefit to Ms Linda Knight of 42 Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [76237]
§ Mr. TimmsIn individual cases of overpayments the Secretary of State can apply his discretion in relation to the recovery of the overpayment. This discretion is exercised only where recovery would cause extreme hardship. Guidance is contained in "Government Accounting", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.