§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place in the Library a copy of circular S21/84 which instructs local offices of his Department how to deal with young unemployed people seeking to claim benefit using the decision in the McCormick case number CF38/83.
§ Mr. NewtonYes. A copy has now been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will withdraw circular S21/84; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonS21/84 contains advice from the chief adjudication officer to adjudication officers, and I understand he does not intend to withdraw that advice.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department's circular S21/84 omits to explain to local staff of his Department that unreported commissioners' decisions are also binding on them and should be followed; what steps he takes to ensure that staff of his Department are aware of, and apply fully or correctly, unreported commissioners' decisions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe contents of circular S21/84 is a matter for the chief adjudication officer, whose advice it contains. General guidance on the application of commissioners' decisions was given in the reported decisions R(I)12/75 and was added to by the practice direction issued by the chief social security commissioner in October 1982. This guidance is already available in DHSS local offices, and was not therefore repeated in S21/84.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will include the full words of Social Security Commissioner Bowen's decision in his Department's circular S21/84.
§ Mr. NewtonThe contents of circular S21/84 is a matter for the chief adjudication officer, whose guidance it contains. I understand he has no plans to add to or amend the circular.