§ Mr. John CarlisleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will inquire into investigatory procedures as practised by social security officers on claimants who arrive from other EC countries or Ireland requiring immediate financial assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe are obliged by EC law, and a Council of Europe convention, not to discriminate against European Nationals in our benefit rules, but social security officers investigate carefully all claims for immediate financial assistance.
Payments may be made as repayable crisis loans from the social fund to meet immediate short-term needs in an emergency; including such needs arising before a first payment of income support is due. In these cases, Lhe social fund officer must satisfy himself that serious damage or a serious risk to the health or safety of the applicant or a member of his family can be prevented only by making such a payment.