asked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what powers his Department can pay the costs of removing furniture from a matrimonial home on behalf of a wife who has decided to leave her husband ; and what guidance his Department gives to its officers in such cases.

Under the power in section 3 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976, to meet exceptional needs the Supplementary Benefits Commission makes payments for removal costs in appropriate cases. An account of the policy which the Commission's staff follow in making payments to set out in paragraphs 90 to 93 of the supplementary benefits handbook, of which there is a copy in the Library.