§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department is prepared to pay an individual's outstanding trade union dues when the union is prepared to make the person concerned a loan to finance the arrears; in how many cases such payments have been made or offered; and whether he will ensure that no such payments are made in future.
§ Mr. OrmeI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question from the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton) on 23rd December 1976. I understand that the Supplementary Benefits Commission would not make a payment for arrears of union dues if it were known that the claimant's union was prepared to make him a loan.—[Vol. 923, c.321–22.]