HC Deb 21 July 1953 vol 46 cc208-9W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the amount of overpayment of benefit arising from emergency benefit payments made before applications have been fully actioned.

Dr. Boyson

Emergency payments totalling £6.267 million were made in Birmingham. Preliminary estimates suggest that £651,000—10.4 per cent. —exceeded the benefit properly payable.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer of 4 July, Official Report, c. 42–43, concerning claims for supplementary benefit, whether the 485 claimants owed arrears of benefit at 29 June had been paid these by 8 July.

Dr. Boyson

Yes.

Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the particular authorities referred to in the reply of 18 July, Official Report, c. 35–36, which are encountering serious difficulties in the implementation of housing benefits.

Dr. Boyson

Birmingham and Enfield approached the Department about serious difficulties in completing the implementation exercise on time. The local authority associations passed on specific representations from Haringey and Westminster, although I am aware that other authorities have difficulties.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when and by how much invalidity benefit will be increased.

Mr. Newton

I refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 29 June 1983. — [Vol. 44, c.92–97.]

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply of 11 July 1983 to the right hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Mr. Shore) Official Report, c. 255–6, why the long-term rate of supplementary benefit for those below pension age is not included in the pledge to compensate long-term benefits for price increases.

Dr. Boyson

The pledge to protect pensions and other long-term linked benefits covers nearly 60 per cent. of social security benefit expenditure. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in reply to the right hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mt. Foot) on 14 July 1983 — [Vol. 45, c. 1018–19]—we cannot extend that pledge.