Danny Alexander (Shadow Minister and Disability Spokesperson, Work & Pensions; Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Liberal Democrat)

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise one or two points that fit appropriately under this clause. Schedule 7 makes minor amendments and amendments consequential to part 4. I would like to use this opportunity, under your guidance, Mr. Hood, to raise a related point, which is a matter that should have been considered under this part and may well be considered in more detail in another place, assuming that the Bill reaches that stage.

My point relates to the remit of the Social Security Advisory Committee, and hon. Members will be aware that that is not dealt with under schedule 7. Under the Tax Credits Act 2002, all functions in respect of child benefit and guardian’s allowance were transferred to what is now called Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, though they remain social security benefits, as entitlement to them arises under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, which is amended by schedule 7. I wish to put on record my point about the importance of amending the Bill to extend the remit of the Social Security Advisory Committee to cover guardian’s allowance and child  benefit. As the Committee will know, that was the case before the administrative functions in respect of those benefits were transferred to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Hon. Members will be aware of the important work done on this Bill by the Social Security Advisory Committee, and those with more experience in the House than I will no doubt be aware of its important work on many other pieces of legislation. However, it seems a little odd—to put it minimally—that its remit has not been extended to guardians allowance and child benefit as a consequence, albeit it perhaps an unforeseen one, of the Tax Credits Act 2002.

The Work and Pensions Committee has recommended that the Social Security Advisory Committee has its statutory remit extended to legislation that arises under the Tax Credits Act. I shall not go into great detail at the moment, Mr. Hood, as I do not wish to try your patience at this late stage in our proceedings. However, I hope that having brought this to the Under-Secretary’s attention, she will look again at the matter and, perhaps, bring forward, or get her hon. Friend the Minister of State to bring forward, further comment or consideration when the Bill is considered in another place.

Anne McGuire (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Disabled People), Department for Work and Pensions; Stirling, Labour)

It is interesting to be asked about a schedule that is not actually in the Bill, but perhaps I should clarify for the Committee that those are matters for the Treasury. However, there are informal arrangements between Her Majesty’s Treasury and SSAC whereby the latter considers guardians allowance and child benefit. That was discussed at length during consideration of the Tax Credits Act. I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that that discussion took place. Obviously, we will reflect further on his point, although there have been significant discussions already.