§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the development of commercial agencies which propose to charge fees in order to pursue claims for benefit from ex-service personnel.
§ Miss WiddecombeThere is nothing to prevent an individual or commercial agency charging a fee to ex-service personnel for the provision of advice on claims for benefit. However, such advice on social security benefits is available free from the Benefits Agency and on war pensions from the War Pensions Directorate and a number of ex-service organisations. It is a matter of personal choice which service is used.