§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for assistance from the social fund at the east Nottinghamshire, north Nottinghamshire and west Nottinghamshire benefits offices were made in the last year for which figures are available; how many were accepted and how many were refused.
§ 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.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paddy Tipping, dated 17 June 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of applications to the Social Fund in the Benefits Agency's East, North and West Nottinghamshire Districts.You asked for details of how many of these applications were successful and how many were refused. Those details are shown at Appendix A. Please note that Cold Weather Payments, which are paid without claims being made, are not included in the figures provided.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Appendix A 1993–94 Applications Awards Refusals Nottinghamshire East 22,875 12,436 9,583 Nottinghamshire North 20,139 10,380 8,425 Nottinghamshire West 26,246 15,170 10,301 The above application figures include the following:Applications awaiting determination.Applications withdrawn before determination.Budgeting and crisis loan offers which are not accepted.