Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Supplementary Benefit – 2 May 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Supplementary Benefit on 2nd May 1986.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost to his Department of issuing a leaflet to every young person sitting general certificate of education or certificate of secondary education examinations explaining the conditions under which they may claim supplementary benefit, in the light of the decision of the tribunal of commissioners R(F)2/85.

Mr. Major It is not usual to issue leaflets which provide full details of complex conditions of entitlement. However, the basic cost of a leaflet for young people sitting examinations would be some £40,000 plus distribution costs which would be relatively high since there is no mechanism for such a distribution.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement as to when a young person who is 16 years old after 1 February but attends school in the current term just to take examinations is entitled to supplementary benefit, following the decision of the tribunal of commissioners R(F)2/85 and circular S51/85.

Mr. Major Such a decision is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities.