To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial assistance is available from his Department to parents who fall (a) within and (b) without income support entitlement to allow them to visit sick children in hospitals distant from their place of residence; and if he will make a statement.

The social fund can help people with reasonable travel expenses to visit someone who is ill. Payments are discretionary, but grants and budgeting loans for this purpose are often given high priority. As with previous schemes, help is focused on those least able to meet these costs.