§ 66. Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his regulations permit application forms for supplementary benefit for the family of a man on strike to be filled in by the striker himself although he is debarred from receiving benefit; and what steps his Department takes afterwards to check that such claims were bona fide.
§ Mr. PentlandThe Ministry of Social Security Act [Section 4(2)] provides that where a man has dependants living with him only he is entitled to benefit; the fact that the man is on strike and not therefore entitled to benefit for his own personal requirements is therefore irrelevant. Apart from this, it is easier for the man to give the necessary information about his family commitments. Statements made by strikers are subject to the same verification as those made by other supplementary benefit claimants.