§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were made to the social fund in each of the years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 for fares to hospital; and how many of these were awarded.
§ Mr. ScottThe information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. Maureen HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will allocate any further money to the social fund budget.
§ Mr. ScottI am pleased to announce that a further £6.2 million is to be allocated to the gross social fund budget by the end of this month. With the increases of £40 million made in August and £3 million in November, this takes the total gross social fund discretionary budget in 1991–92 to £277 million. As a result of this increase in the gross budget my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has approved changes in two Benefits Agency targets for 1991–92. The revised targets are:
- —to live within a gross budget of £277 million for loans and grants; and
- —to recover £143 million in loan repayments.