Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits – 5 February 1987

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits on 5th February 1987.

Mr. Ernie Ross Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to reinstate entitlement to certificated housing benefit and other passported benefits retrospectively to all past and present trainees under the Dundee pilot scheme who were in training prior to 26 January; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major It is not possible in law to backdate entitlement to certificated housing benefit for a period when supplementary benefit was not payable in the way suggested. However, I refer the hon. Member to my replies to him on 20 November 1986 at columns 333–335 describing the safeguards made for ensuring that trainees at Dundee and elsewhere would be no worse off as a result of participating in the job training scheme.