asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what directions have been issued to regional and branch offices relating to entitlement to supplementary and other benefits to miners' families during the current industrial dispute.

As my hon. Friend said in his reply to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 18th January, the staff have instructions for dealing with supplementary benefit claims received from miners on strike. These follow the standing instructions for dealing with supplementary benefit claims during industrial disputes, amplified as necessary to deal with any special features of the situation.—[Vol. 829, c. 123.]