asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make it possible for a lone father to receive supplementary benefit without a requirement to register for work if he wishes to remain at home to care for his child or children.

I understand that, after consideration of the recommendation of the Finer Committee on One-Parent Families, the Supplementary Benefits Commission has decided that lone fathers who have sole care of dependent children under 16 will not be required to register for work as a condition for receiving supplementary benefit.