§ Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why members of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians employed by the London borough of Tower Hamlets are now unable to get social security payments from the Department of Health and Social Security when they have not received their wages for two weeks from the local authority, although they are not on strike; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeThese employees are not entitled to supplementary benefit. Payment could be made at the discretion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission if it determined that the case was urgent and the circumstances justified waiving the normal rule. The Commission is not, however, satisfied that the London borough of Tower Hamlets is unable to make any payment in respect of wages due to these employees, and accordingly 403W does not consider it would be appropriate to make use of its discretionary powers.