§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of overseas visitors who have received financial aid from the national insurance funds or supplementary assistance, their countries of origin, the amounts received on average or actually by these recipients, and a breakdown of their categories such as students, holiday makers, temporary employment, etc.
§ Mr. O'MalleyPayments from national insurance funds would not normally arise in the case of overseas visitors. Exceptionally, supplementary benefit is payable to help visitors who may find themselves in some temporary difficulty, but no information is available centrally about such payments as may have been made.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take further steps to prevent abuse by temporary visitors from overseas of the system whereby any person, British or foreign, contributor or non-contributor to the national insurance funds or British taxation can receive supplementary social insurance benefits on application and proof of need.
§ Mr. O'MalleyMy Department is already taking all practicable measures to prevent abuses of benefit from wherever they may come. If my hon. Friend has a particular instance in mind I shall be glad to look at it.