§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the procedures for checking on the immigration status of an applicant for social security benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI assume that the benefit the hon. Member has in mind is supplementary benefit. Entitlement to supplementary benefit of people from abroad is linked to their immigration status. Where there is doubt, the claimant is asked to produce his passport. Normally, that30W will be sufficient. If not, for example, the passport is not available, the matter is referred centrally for the claimant's status to be checked with the immigration authorities.