§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many valid applications for special needs grants under the social fund were made to Grimsby and were refused because of cash limits on local expenditure; what advice his Department will give to applicants in the light of the recent High Court ruling; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottI have been asked to reply.
In the period April 1989 to January 1990, 1,112 applications for community care grants were processed at Grimsby social security office. Of those applications 647 resulted in an award; of the remainder none was refused on budgetary grounds.
Our advice remains that any person who has a need which he considers might be met from the social fund should make an application to his local social security office in the normal way.