§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 20 December, Official Report, c. 367, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill, what is the position regarding coeliac disease as a prescribed condition eligible for supplementary benefit dietary allowance.
§ Mr. NewtonDecisions on entitlement in individual cases are a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities. No specific guidance on the position regarding coeliac disease is currently given to supplementary benefit officers. They would consider whether an extra weekly amount under subparagraph(a), (b) or (e) of paragraph 13 of schedule 3 to the requirement regulations might be appropriate taking account of medical advice given on individual cases. I am writing to the hon. Member separately about the particular case he has raised with me.