§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the procedures used and the criteria applicable for the implementation of the "Fuel Direct" system, whereby direct deductions are made from supplementary benefits payments to pay fuel debts; whether any check is being kept to ensure that each responsible authority is observing the criteria; and whether he is satisfied that authorities are operating a coherent policy throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe procedures and criteria which apply to the arrangements under which deductions are made from supplementary benefit and paid direct to a fuel board to safeguard the fuel supply are set out in the new Joint Statement of Intent on Direct Payments for Fuel, a copy of which I have placed in the Library. The responsibility for operating these arrangements under the joint statement lies with local DHSS offices and individual fuel boards. Officials of the Department will continue to keep a close eye on the operation of the departmental side of these arrangements.