Welfare Reform Bill

I am, again, very grateful to the Minister. I am glad to hear that the onus is on the customer rather than on the officer to seek to prise that information out of the customer. Clearly customers will reveal their personal circumstances. Perhaps they would be a little reluctant to produce their bank statements, credit card statements or building society statements, or even a doctor’s letter or birth certificate. Surely, there must be some degree of compulsion in this requirement. The Minister has explained very well why we need to make a reference to hardship payments within the context of Clause 1. It is because the existing ones do not cover the clause as it is not yet enacted. I am also glad to hear why the prescribed period is different in each case. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 16 withdrawn. Amendment 17 not moved.