§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people in the Edinburgh area received furniture grants from his Department in 1983;
(2) how the stores which redeem cheques issued by his Department for furniture are selected;
(3) if he will list the names of the stores in the Edinburgh area which accept cheques issued by his Department for furniture to supplementary benefit claimants; and how much money was paid out by his Department to each store in 1983;
(4) if it is the policy of his Department to issue cheques for the purchase of furniture to supplementary benefits claimants which are for use only at nominated stores.
§ Dr. BoysonProcedural instructions on single payments for essential furniture and household equipment are contained in paragraphs 7214 to 7219 of the S manual, a copy of which is in the Library. A supplementary benefit claimant who is entitled to a single payment is free to select his own furniture from a supplier of his choice so long as the price is reasonable. The Department then normally makes the Girocheque out to the supplier and sends it to the claimant for him to hand over in exchange for the goods. I am not aware of any store in the Edinburgh area which will not accept payment for furniture by way 625W of such a Girocheque. Information about payments made to each Edinburgh store and the number of people who were awarded such single payments in 1983 is not available.