§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of the latest guidelines issued to his Department's staff on questions to be asked of single mothers claiming benefit;
(2) whether it remains the practice of his Department that questions on sexual activities are not asked of single mothers claiming benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonQuestions on sexual relationships are not asked of single mothers when they make a claim to benefit. Subsequently, and only where substantial doubt exists in relation to a claim for one-parent benefit or national insurance widow's benefit, inquiries may be made about the specific circumstances in which a claimant is living. This is done using a form of guidance which is for departmental use only, and which staff are enjoined to use with tact and discretion. The questions which may be asked are intended to provide the independent adjudicating authority with a comprehensive range of evidence to enable them to decide title to benefit.
However, in the light of the differences which exist in the guidelines used in relation to the two benefits to which I have referred and those which apply to claims for supplementary benefit, where direct questions about sexual relationships are forbidden when the issue of living together arises, I have instigated an urgent review, with a view to ensuring that all the procedures are brought into line with the practice on supplementary benefit.