HC Deb 25 June 1996 vol 280 cc110-1W
22. Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions took place on the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1996 between his officials and the Scottish Office. [32995]

Mr. Roger Evans

From the time that the housing benefit proposals were announced, officials of this Department were in touch with those in the Scottish Office. The hon. Gentleman raised the issue of an exemption for care leavers in Scotland when these regulations were debated in the House on 5 June. In my response to his concern, I assured him that parallel legislation to cover Scottish care leavers will be put in place to come into force on 7 October 1996.

26. Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost to local authorities for the adaptations needed to their computer systems as a result of changes in housing benefit regulations. [32999]

Mr. Roger Evans

The estimated cost to local authorities for adaptations to their computer systems arising from changes in the housing benefit regulations to be implemented during 1996 is £5.5 million, which has been met by central Government funds in full.