§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants applied for grants or loans under the social fund during the financial year 1990–91 in each of the benefit offices in Kincardine and Deeside constituency; how many were turned down and for what reason; what was the average size of the grant, crisis loan or budgetary loan in the year; and if he will provide comparable figures for the first three months of 1991–92.
§ 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.
§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each social security office in(a) Kincardine and Deeside district and (b) Aberdeen district the numbers of social fund applications (i) submitted and (ii) rejected on grounds of insufficient priority in each of these categories (1) grants, (2) budget loans and (3) crisis loans in each year since 1988–89 and the most recent figures for the first months of 1991–92.
§ Mr. ScottI understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the figures for the latest and previous years as to how many applications there have578W been to the various components of the social fund in Nottingham; how many have been accepted or refused, giving percentage for each and the grounds for refusal; and what percentage of loans have been recovered.
§ Mr. ScottI understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.