§ 38. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the frequency of late claims for maternity allowances, he will take steps to disseminate more widely information about the nature of the regulations governing claims for such benefits.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterSpecial steps are taken to spread this information by means of posters displayed in local National Insurance offices, ante-natal clinics and child welfare clinics, and by the issue of explanatory leaflets to all expectant mothers applying for welfare foods. If the hon. Member has any further suggestions for publicity, I will gladly consider them.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Minister aware that in at least one case, of which I have informed him, his Department failed to supply the information to the mother, and the appeal tribunal took the view that the onus was on the mother to find out the nature of the regulations and not on his Department to supply the information when the mother applied for the welfare vouchers? Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this matter and ensure that the explanatory leaflet is issued to all expectant mothers when they apply for the welfare vouchers?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe information is certainly issued to all expectant mothers with the welfare food vouchers. That is the regular system, apart from the additional methods of publicity to which I referred in my answer; but I agree that no system can be absolutely certain of conveying information to everybody. If the hon. Gentleman has any further proposal, I will gladly consider it.