The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Guardian’s Allowance – 5 February 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Guardian’s Allowance on 5th February 1986.


Mr. Watts Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department gives to people seeking to claim guardian’s allowance as to the practical steps which should be taken to satisfy the requirement of section 38(2)(b) of the Social Security Act 1975.

Mr. Major The conditions for entitlement to guardian’s allowance are set out in leaflet NI 14 which is available from local social security offices. It is for the independent adjudicating authorities to decide if a person claiming the allowance has taken all reasonable steps to trace a missing parent. The steps which must be taken to trace a missing parent depend entirely on the circumstances of the case and no guidance has been issued.