§ Mr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has reached decisions on his Department's proposals to change the rules about paying benefit to hostel dwellers.
§ Mr. ScottThe consultation paper "Help With Hostel Charges", published in July, proposed ending special income support payments for people in hostels from April 1989. Comments were invited on two proposals: that normal income support and housing benefit should be paid to all hostel dwellers or, alternatively, only to those not receiving physical care.
I am grateful for the many responses to the proposals, which we are still considering. We have, however, decided at this stage to defer any changes until after April 1989, to allow us time to examine more fully the effects on hostels' finances. An announcement will be made once final decisions have been made.