§ Mr. McTaggartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the recent allegations made to his Department of maladministration in his Department's local offices in Glasgow in relation to the suitable alternative furnished accommodation aspect of single payments, regulation 10, and its effect on claimants' entitlements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have no reason to believe there has been any maladministration in the Department's local offices in Glasgow. I shall be writing to the hon. Member about this matter.
§ Mr. Hayesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when final results of the 1983 statistical inquiry of supplementary benefit claimants will be available.
§ Mr. WhitneyTheir availability is dependent upon the overall recovery position of the Newcastle computer section, following last year's industrial action. At the current rate of recovery it is estimated that the final figures will be available by the end of May 1985, and printed tables will be placed in the Library from six to eight weeks later.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the position of claimants under the new supplementary benefit regulations making applications for supplementary benefit before 1 April whose claims are not processed until after 1 April; and if they will 631W be treated on the same basis as existing claimants for the purposes of assessing supplementary benefit and transitional protection claims.
§ Mr. WhitneyI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed new regulations relating to board and lodging payments which are intended to apply from 29 April. Claims made before that date will be assessed in accordance with existing rules and the transitional protection provisions will apply.