§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of income support received reduced benefits in 1991 as a consequence of their receipt, or receipt by members of their family, of criminal injuries compensation.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. I understand that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
There is, however, a special rule in all the income-related benefits—income support, family credit, housing benefit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance—which provides that compensation payments arising from a personal or criminal injury which are placed on trust are disregarded indefinitely. In addition, payments can be made out of the trust in a wide range of circumstances without affecting the injured person's entitlement to benefit.