HC Deb 05 May 1988 vol 132 cc551-2W
Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, after the introduction of the proposed community charge, claimants will be informed when their names and addresses are passed to the community charge registration officer of the local authority area in which they live.

Mr. Scott

Yes. Detailed arrangements are still being developed in consultation with the local authority associations, but the intention is that the letters and forms that are to be given to income support claimants will make clear the circumstances in which a claimant's name and address are passed to the community charge registration officer.

Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement outlining the guidelines to his local offices for deciding eligibility to benefits for those claimants whose previously owned capital sum is held in trust; and if he will indicate specifically whether such guidelines take account of any legal variations pertaining to the laws of trust between Scotland and England.

Mr. Portillo

The Chief Adjudication Officer is responsible for providing guidance to local adjudication officers who decide claims for income support. Guidance on the treatment of capital held in trust is contained in volume 3, paragraphs 30401 to 30464, of the Adjudication Officers' Guide, a copy of which is in the Library. Paragraphs 30421 to 30428 of the AOG contain advice about the different rules of intestacy in Scotland and England.