§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether claimants for housing benefit can be disqualified from receipt of that benefit if their name does not appear on the community charge register for the appropriate local authority area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardEntitlement to housing benefit is not conditional on registration for the community charge. However, one of the conditions of entitlement to housing benefit is that the claimant must normally occupy the dwelling in respect of which benefit is claimed as home. It is for local authorities themselves to decide what evidence is reasonably required to determine whether this condition is met.