§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to assist separated parents by the provision of financial assistance towards long-distance travelling costs of accommodation.
§ Mr. ScottA separated parent may obtain help with these costs from the social fund. If receiving income support, he or she may be awarded a community care grant, whether for visiting a child living with the other parent pending a custody decision, or where the child or other parent is ill, or where the payment would ease a domestic crisis. Alternatively, crisis loans are available to anyone where payment is the only means of avoiding serious risk or damage to the health or safety of the applicant or a member of his family. We have no plans to alter these arrangements.