§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance is issued to local offices on payment of fares to a parent who is seeking to make an access visit to his or her child;
(2) whether financial help is available to a mother who has to travel long distances for an access visit to her child in order to comply with a custody order;
(3) what help is available to parents seeking help with transport costs in order to pay access visits to their children.
§ Mr. Peter LloydA community care grant from the social fund may be awarded to a parent receiving income support to cover travelling costs to visit a child who is in the care of the other parent pending a custody decision. Once custody has been decided help can not be given.
Guidance and directions for the award of such payments appear in the "Social Fund Manual". A copy is in the Library.