§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether specific instructions have been issued by her Department to officials dealing with supplementary benefit claims that hire-purchase payments on colour television sets are to be taken into account in deciding the level of benefit.
§ Mr. MeacherNo, quite the reverse. Instructions specifically exclude provision for hire-purchase commitments of a nonessential nature, including television.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what she estimates to be the total sum paid out from public funds by her Department in providing supplementary benefit payments specifically to cover hire-purchase payments on television sets of all types in the most recent years for which complete figures are available.
§ Mr. MeacherI would refer the lion. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) on 26th January.—[Vol. 904, c.37.]
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give local managers of Department of Health and Social Security offices discretionary powers to enable them to make payments to people who fail to qualify for supplementary benefit in order to meet large payments such as electricity bills, funeral expenses, house repair and maintenance, etc.; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Mr. McCrdleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid in supplementary benefits for the latest full year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. O'Malley£1,125 million in the calendar year 1975 (provisional figure).