§ Baroness Fisher of Rednalasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether DHSS offices provide local authorities with lists of establishments in respect of which board and lodging payments are made, and if not, why not.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)Such lists are not provided as addresses of benefit claimants along with any other information they supply are held in strict confidence. The staff in local offices may, however, consult local authority social services and/or fire prevention officers in confidence when in their view there are serious risks to the life and health of an individual claimant arising from the condition of a boarding house, home or hostel.