§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund loan applications were refused by each of his Department's offices covering the Doncaster area in(a) 1990–91 and (b) the current year to date, due to perceived inability to repay.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the 507W Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
§ Mr. CabornTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many applications for social fund loans from the York local office were refused on the grounds of inability to pay; and if he will show this figure as a percentage of all applications for loans from the York local office in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 to date;
(2) if he will indicate the factors used by the York local office to determine high, medium and low priority groups and priority circumstances for community care grant applications (a) before 6 September 1990, (b) between 6 September and 21 October 1990 and (c) since 22 October 1990, and the reasons why the criteria were changed at these dates.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information office.