HC Deb 06 March 1984 vol 55 c561W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it remains Her Majesty's Government's advice to local authorities that they should not make charges for meals on wheels to those in receipt of means-tested supplementary benefit.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Local authorities have power to charge a recipient of meals on wheels at a rate which they believe it to be reasonably practicable for him to pay. Accordingly, as supplementary benefit provies for all items of normal expenditure including food a modest charge for meals on wheels is not ruled out for those receiving the benefit.