§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the reasons why the family credit unit requires audited accounts from self-employed applicants;
(2) if he has any plans to allow self-employed applicants for family credit to provide documentary evidence other than audited accounts as proof of income.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 19 October at columns895-96. The Family Credit (General) Amendment No. 4 Regulations 1988 which were laid before Parliament on 14 November to come into force on 5 December remove the requirement that only audited accounts are acceptable. In respect of claims for family credit made on or after 5 December a profit and loss account which has not been audited will be acceptable provided that it covers a period of not less than six months and not more than 15 months and is for a period ending not more than 12 months prior to the date of claim.