§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 201–2, if he will (a) make it his policy to end the arrangements on the deprivation of capital for benefit purposes and (b) place in the Library of the House a copy of the adjudication officers' guide; and when benefits agency officers were last reminded of the provision of existing legislation and guidance on this matter.
§ Mr. BurtThere are no plans to change the present rules. Copies of the adjudication officers guide have been in the Library for some time. I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the most recent reminder to agency staff was issued in January 1993.