§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances his Department makes arrangements with debt-collection agencies for direct debit of outstanding debts; how many claimants are now covered by this procedure; whether money-lending agencies can benefit from this procedure; what check is made of the debt-collection agencies who benefit; and whether any charge is made on the debt-collection agencies for the service provided.
§ Mr. MajorThe Department does not under any circumstances make arrangements for money to be deducted from any claimant's benefit for payment direct to a debt collection agency or a money lending agency.