HC Deb 08 February 1977 vol 925 c634W
60. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions that anyone requesting that part of his supplementary benefit be paid direct by the DHSS to a local authority to pay either the whole of his rates or rent shall have his request met by local DHSS offices.

Mr. Orme

Local offices are instructed by the Supplementary Benefits Commission to consider every such request and will normally pay direct where there has been persistent default. For manpower reasons it is not possible to meet every request.