§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether social benefits for the purchase of furniture are granted in cash or as vouchers; and how much was allocated in either form in the latest year for which figures are available;
(2) what criteria are taken into account before social benefits are granted for the purchase of furniture;
(3) in what circumstances and why colour television sets with doors qualify as furniture in the provision of social benefits.
§ Mr. DeakinsHelp with furniture under the Supplementary Benefits Commission's discretionary powers is restricted to the purchase of essential items—normally second-hand—of which the claimant is in urgent need and which cannot be supplied from a store run by a local authority or welfare organisation. Payment is made in cash, usually by means of a giro order payable to the supplier, but I regret that figures for the amounts paid are not available. The commission does not in any circumstances help with the provision of television sets. The commission's policy is set out in paragraph 92–94 of the Supplementary 335W Benefits Handbook, of which there is a copy in the Library of the House.