§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent pensioners, in receipt of a supplementary pension, can apply for financial assistance to pay for locks and other protection to their homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LyellThere is no specific provision in the supplementary benefit scheme for single payments for locks or other security devices. Help is available exceptionally under the regulation 30 "fall-back" provision. This allows a single payment to be made if it is the only means of avoiding serious risk to health or safety. Whether the "fall-back" provision would apply in an individual case is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities to decide.