§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why those on supplementary benefit, unlike those on invalidity benefit, do not receive the Christmas bonus; and if he has any plans to extend the payment to those in receipt of other benefits not so far entitled to the bonus.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe bonus is already payable to supplementary pensioners, and to those in receipt of supplementary462W allowance who are also receiving a benefit which qualifies them for a bonus, and who would be receiving such a benefit if they claimed it.
The present categories to whom the bonus is payable seem about right, but, in any event, the present economic constraints preclude an extension of those categories.