HC Deb 04 May 1978 vol 949 cc235-6W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the case of an application for supplementary benefit by a man cohabiting with a woman who has business interests in her own right, if it is his Department's policy to insist that the declaration of circumstances in regard to those business interests has to be signed by the man, who may have no knowledge of the business situation, rather than by the woman, who may be in a better situation to do so.

Mr. Orme

A couple who are living together as husband and wife are treated for supplementary benefit purposes in the same way as a married couple. The husband is responsible for claiming benefit

Mr. Orme

The following table uses United Kingdom expenditure and prices, etc. for 1976 which are the latest available:

and he has to state the family circumstances; but he may need to refer to his wife for details of any resources that she has.