§ Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will issue instructions to the Supplementary Benefits Commission in order to ensure that before any benefit for maintenance is paid to a man for the upkeep of his mistress, second wife or the children of his second marriage, the man's responsibilities for the 89W upkeep of his legal, or first wife, and the children of his first marriage, are fully discharged.
§ Mr. OrmeProvided the relevant conditions are satisfied, there is a statutory duty to pay supplementary benefit to a man for himself and any dependent members of his household. The separated or former wife can also claim benefit for herself and any children living with her, provided she has not taken another partner and is not in full-time work, if their resources fall below the level of their supplementary benefit requirements. I have no proposals for change.