HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 cc532-3W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case(a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if she will make a statement. [15224]

Mr. Field

The information is in the table.

The Government intend to work constructively with their EU partners-member states, the Parliament and the Commission. These visits help prepare for a successful UK Presidency of the EU in 1998.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Crispin Blunt, dated 10 November 1997: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if she will review the practice whereby Benefits Agency (BA) adjudication officers (AOs) cannot approve new mortgages for disabled persons until mortgage funds are advanced in circumstances where building societies are refusing to advance mortgages without confirmation of Income Support (IS) funds. Decisions on individual entitlement to Social Security benefits are made by independent adjudication authorities. In order to make a decision an AO needs to consider the actual facts of the case. It is not possible to give a decision based on hypothetical circumstances. BA staff can however give advice on the rules that will be applied if a mortgage is taken out. The current arrangements generally work well by giving customers a good indication of the help they may received if their circumstances change, while protecting the right of the AO to make a decision on the facts as they change. There are no plans therefore to review this practice. I hope you find this reply helpful.