§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for exemptions from the new board and lodging regulations are waiting to be processed in Portsmouth.
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§ Mr. Ray WhitneyThere are currently four cases in the Portsmouth local area for which consideration is being given to exemption from the time limits on payment as a boarder.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many exemptions have been given to the new board and lodging regulations in Portsmouth;
(2) how many people in Portsmouth were receiving board and lodging allowances at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. WhitneyI regret that the analyses of board and lodging in all local offices including Portsmouth, following the 29 April changes, have not yet been completed. Prior to this date, information on the number of supplementary benefit claimants receiving board and lodging allowances was not available separately.
Mr. Tony Loydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to include refugees as a group exempted from the board and lodgings regulations.
§ Mr. WhitneyRefugees are able to qualify for exemption from the time limits for payments as a boarder under the present rules. We are however looking urgently at the operation of exemptions to see whether any changes are necessary with reference to refugees.