§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which other European countries operate a system of social assistance equivalent to the British system of supplementary benefits, with similar criteria for need, means-testing on the basis of income and income-producing capital only, and benefits available as of right to all residents including temporary residents and tourists.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAssistance for varying contingencies may be granted by different authorities and based on local rules and conditions. All EEC countries, and Greece, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, apply the Convention on Social and Medical Assistance of the Council of Europe under which nationals of any contracting State, lawfully present in the territory of another, are entitled to social assistance benefits on the same terms as nationals of that State.
§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for emergency financial help have been made to the Supplementary Benefits Commission in Scotland under Section 13 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1966, for each of the past five years; what proportion of these claims has been successful; and what has been the total sum paid out to claimants.
§ Mr. O'MalleyI regret that this information is not available.