§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the decision of Essex county council to impose a charge of 25p per day on the mentally and physically handicapped for attendance at the local authority day centres, he will consider a recommendation to the Supplementary Benefits Commission that these charges be recoverable from supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe imposition of such charges is at the discretion of local authorities, which have powers to abate or waive the charges having regard to the individual's means. The Supplementary Benefits Commission has long held the view that charges for local authority services should not be imposed on people living at supplementary benefit level or, where they are, that they should not cause hardship and should not be imposed on the basis that they will be met by additional supplementary benefit. I agree with this view and do not therefore propose to make any recommendation to the commission regarding current supplementary benefit policy. From November, the regulations will not allow for such charges to be met by increases in supplementary benefit payments.