asked the Minister of National Insurance what factors are taken into account in determining payments to applicants for National Assistance.

Full details are given in the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Regulations approved by this House. The main factors are the applicant's dependants, the rent he is paying and the extent and nature of his resources.

Is the Minister able to confirm her statement of 21st November that the means of the applicants play no part in determining whether they do or do not receive assistance, or the amount of the assistance?

I think that any comment I have made on this subject has been on the means of the family, which play no part at all.