asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the report in
New Society of 22nd January 1988 that "no less than 18 per cent. of the money set aside for the [social] fund would be spent on administration", is correct; and if it is correct, will the money be deducted from, or added to, that already allocated to local DHSS offices.
The administration costs of the social fund will not be met from the national social fund budget for the discretionary parts of the social fund scheme of £203 million. The salary costs (including employer's national insurance contributions) of the administration of these parts of the scheme will be £37 million at 1988–89 prices, which will be met from the department's administration vote. This is equivalent to 18 per cent. of the budget.