§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in respect of discussions regarding the financial circumstances of persons with fuel debts under the agreement between the Supplementary Benefits Commission and the fuel boards on fuel debts and disconnection, she is satisfied that the staff of the fuel boards will be bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the Commission's staff.
§ Mr. MeacherThe financial circumstances of beneficiaries with fuel debts will not be the subject of discussion between Supplementary Benefits Commission officials and the fuel boards. The agreement will enable the Commission to make payments direct to the fuel boards, by means of regular deductions from supplementary benefit, sufficient to cover the cost of current fuel consumption plus a sum—usually 50p a week—off the outstanding fuel bill. It will operate where supplementary benefit is in payment without the need to divulge individual financial circumstances.