§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases his Department has issued demands for repayment of attendance allowance to the parents of disabled children who have had to spend periods in hospital; what is the average amount involved and highest amount in any particular case; if he intends to insist on the repayments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe requested information is not available. The question of whether an overpayment of benefit is recoverable is a matter for the independent statutory authorities to decide. Our policy is to seek repayment of recoverable overpayments where possible, but repayment may be waived depending on the circumstances of the individual case.