§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has now considered the defects revealed in the administration of his Department by the case of R. V. Taylor, who drew social security money from Weymouth at the same time as he or his son had eight bank accounts and £1,700 in cash banked in the name of his 19-year-old son; what inquiries he has made into the number of fit young men who draw social security 217W at South Coast resorts during the summer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNo such defects have been revealed. Mr. Taylor was required to state his resources on each of the several occasions when he claimed supplementary benefit and resources declared were properly taken into account. Under the Ministry of Social Security Act only resources which have belonged to Mr. Taylor or his wife or other dependent members of the household can be taken into account. As the hon. Member may know, questions relating to the ownership of the £1,700 have recently been before the courts. As regards the second part of the question, special precautions are taken at seaside resorts to ensure that supplementary allowances are paid only for short periods while fit young migrant workers find jobs. Such men arrive in substantial numbers to fill the many vacancies for workers in the hotel and catering trades.