§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake to implement the decision of the Social Security Commissioner to backdate the benefit of all congenitally disabled persons to their 16th birthday.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is for the independent adjudicating authorities to implement decisions of the social security commissioner. Guidance on the question of when there is 'good cause' for backdating a claim for supplementary benefit made by a person who is unable to act for himself was issued early last year by the chief supplementary benefit officer in the light of earlier decisions by the social security commissioners. I am advised the recent decision of the commissioners, reported in the press on 27 January, does not require automatic backdating to the 16th birthday of all claims made on behalf of people unable to act for themselves, but the chief supplementary benefit officer is considering what further guidance needs to be issued in the light of the decision.