§ 22. Mr. Dixonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he method has not been considered appro-will consider introducing legislation whereby an applicant for supplementary benefits will be required to state the amount not only of his financial assets but also the amount of his other capital assets, including major items of consumer durable goods, and that this figure should be taken as the basis for assessing his entitlement to supplementary benefits.
§ Mr. DeanThe Ministry of Social Security Act already empowers the Supplementary Benefits Commission to take into account any asset of a capital nature, except an owner-occupied house; but it normally ignores personal possessions, including consumer durables, and I think it is right to do so.