HC Deb 26 July 1989 vol 157 cc761-2W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Doncaster and (b) Mexborough areas of South Yorkshire, who were refused loans by social fund officers during the period April 1988 to the end of June 1989, on the basis that they had insufficient income to repay these loans, were advised to apply for community care grants; and, of this total, how many were granted.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The guidance in the "Social Fund Manual" (a copy of which is in the Library), makes it clear to social fund officers that on receipt of an application for a loan, they should bear in mind the possibility that a community care grant may be appropriate. It is not necessary for the applicant to be advised to apply separately for a grant and therefore the information requested is not collected. However, statistical information is available which shows that between April 1988 and the end of June 1989, on 122 occasions in the Doncaster area covered by the Doncaster, East arid Doncaster, West local offices, and on 66 occasions in the Mexborough area covered by the Wath on Dearne local office, a grant was awarded instead of a loan for which an application was made.

Mr. Redmond

To ask, the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Doncaster and (b) Mexborough areas of South Yorkshire have been refused loans by social fund officers for the period April 1988 to the end of June 1989 on the basis that they have insufficient income to repay these loans.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Information is not collected on the number of people refused loans or grants. The figures collected are based on applications. Between April 1988 and the end of June 1989, on 148 occasions in the Doncaster area covered by the Doncaster, East and Doncaster, West ILOs, and on 18 occasions in the Mexborough area, covered by the Wath on Dearne ILO, the social fund officer refused a loan application giving as a reason the applicants' inability to repay.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Greenock and (b) Port Glasgow who were refused loans by social fund officers during the period April 1988 to the end of June 1989, on the basis that they had insufficient income to repay these loans, were advised to apply for community care grants; and, of this total, how many were granted.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The guidance in the "Social Fund Manual" (a copy of which is in the Library), makes it clear to social fund officers that on receipt of an application for a loan, they should bear in mind the possibility that a community care grant may be appropriate. It is not necessary for the applicant to be advised to apply separately for a grant and therefore the information requested is not collected. However, statistical information is available which shows that between April 1988 and the end of June 1989, on 18 occasions in the Greenock area, and on 78 occasions in the Port Glasgow area, a grant was awarded instead of a loan for which an application was made.