§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to inform all benefit offices(a) about his statement on compensation for former POWs held by the Japanese and (b) the exemption of this compensation from social security payment regulations. [138337]
§ Mr. BayleyThe contents of a War Pensions Agency press release, which summarises the statement made on 7 November by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, and which explains how claims to the Agency for the ex-gratia payment should be made, have been made available to all benefit office staff.
Subject to normal consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations, we intend to amend the income-related benefit regulations in advance of the ex-gratia payments being made. As is normal practice, guidance will be issued to local offices 23 days in advance of the legislation coming into effect.