§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received about the rules concerning furniture grants; and how many recommended the abolition of the rules which deny grants to obtain furniture for unfurnished accommodation on the grounds that suitable alternative furnished accommodation is available.
§ Dr. BoysonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 24 July at column604. Since the beginning of 1984 we have received about 70 representations from hon. Members, voluntary bodies and others about single payments of supplementary benefit for essential items of furniture and household goods. Of these, about 20 explicitly recommended abolition of the rule whereby certain categories of claimants may receive such payments, on moving into unfurnished accommodation, only if no suitable alternative furnished accommodation is available. I understand that since the beginning of the year the Social Security 231W Advisory Committee has received about 80 representations about these payments, of which about 20 explicitly recommended abolition of the rule concerning suitable alternative furnished accommodation.