§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of district offices in which women fleeing domestic violence are classified as a high, medium and low priority, respectively, for the purpose of community care grants paid under the social fund.
§ Mr. ScottI understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Each district manager constructs his guidance, taking into account guidance issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and a variety of local factors. This specific grouping may not always occur within the high priority band of a district's guidance because of the need to ensure payment for even more needy cases. However, all the circumstances of an application will still be considered and discretion can be used to raise the priority of an individual application, allowing a payment to be made.