asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance is given to adjudication officers by the Chief Adjudication Officer concerning the direct payment to water authorities, or local authorities on their behalf, of payments towards arrears of water charges; and how many such direct payments of arrears have been made in the years 1979–80 until the year for which the latest figures are available.

Direct payment in respect of arrears of water charges can be made only where a claimant's supplementary benefit includes an amount for water charges as part of his housing requirements. Detailed guidance to adjudication officers on the criteria to be used in the implementation of water charges direct is given in paragraphs 9035–9036 of the "S Manual", a copy of which is in the Library. Direct payments should be arranged when the claimant has arrears in excess of half the annual charge due and it is in the interests of the claimants to do so or otherwise when it is in the overriding interests of the claimants and his family.Information regarding the number of payments of water charges direct is not available.