§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why is it not possible to issue single books to claimants by the local offices of the DHSS when the payment is more than £30;
- (2) how long it has been the policy of his Department that books to the value of more than £30 cannot be issued by local DHSS offices ;
- (3) if he will revise the present system in order that books of more than £30 can be issued through the local offices of the DHSS.
§ Mr. Orme:A variety of order books are used over the range of benefits administered by the Department. The maximum value of orders in each type of book differs having regard to the weekly rate of benefit. For many benefits paid by local offices a single book of more than £30 value is issued, but some benefits have a £30 limit.
For security reasons a limit is set on the maximum value of orders. In fixing the various maxima a balance has to be struck between security, the convenience of claimants and efficient economic administration. These limits are kept under regular review.