HC Deb 26 April 1988 vol 132 cc128-9W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will encourage local authorities to include an application form for family credit when they distribute housing benefit application forms.

Mr. Portillo

Many local authorities already do send the claim form for family credit to those housing benefit claimants likely to be eligible for it. Some local authorities may not be able to do this for operational reasons but all will be aware of the importance we attach to encouraging the take-up of family credit.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to enable local authorities to disregard the element within family credit assumed to cover free school meals when assessing housing benefit.

Mr. Portillo

No. An award of family credit cannot be disregarded in assessing housing benefit entitlement.