asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the provision by local Department of Health and Social Security supplementary benefits offices for making arrangements for tenants on supplementary benefit who wish to, to have their rent paid direct to the landlord whether private or local authority.

It is the policy of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to pay benefit direct to a private landlord or local authority housing department only where this seems necessary in order to safeguard the interests of the claimant or his dependants.