§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an inquiry with his Department's child benefit centre, Washington new town, to ascertain the reason for the delay in the return of a family allowance book of Mrs. C. G. Bennett of 5 Anchor Close, Glascote, Tamworth, reference 7797-5105-ZH.
§ Mr. Newton:My hon. Friend will have received a copy of a letter from the child benefit centre to Mrs. Bennett explaining the reasons for the delay and confirming that child benefit has been awarded to Mrs. Bennett from the date of her claim. I regret any hardship that may have been caused by the delay, but in cases where there is a transfer of entitlement from one person to another some delay is inevitable.