§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when information on the first month's operation of the social fund is to be placed in the Library; if he will list the type of information about the social fund to be placed in the Library monthly; if he intends to issue monthly releases to the media to coincide with the placing of information in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloAs I explained in a letter to the hon. Member on 26 May, data for the first month of operation of the social fund have been delayed due to technical problems. These should be resolved shortly. I have arranged for data for May to be placed in the Library next week, as these have not been affected by the same problems. Details of the monthly publication of data on the operation of the social fund were announced in my reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 6 May at column656. Press inquiries for data will be met by the Department in the normal way.