Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits – 18 June 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits on 18th June 1986.

Mr. Allen Adams Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there are any sources of information that officials from his Department may not take into account when assessing a claimant’s benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major Decisions on claims for social security benefits are made by independent adjudication officers using information put to them by officials acting for the Secretary of State. Officials may gather from any source readily available information which they consider relevant but it is the adjudication officer’s function to assess the relevance and reliability of any information or evidence in making his decision. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind he may care to write to me.