§ 42. Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Social Security what is her policy towards the principle of a test of need as the basis of future welfare policy.
§ Miss HerbisonBenefits which depend on the demonstration of need are necessary in some parts of the social security field, but excessive reliance on them would in my view be highly undesirable.
§ Mr. FisherHas the right hon. Lady read the very interesting and forward-thinking speech made by her right hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Houghton)? Does that indicate a new approach to Government policy on this matter and perhaps a move away from universality towards selectivity in future Welfare State benefits?
§ Miss HerbisonIf the hon. Member will be kind enough to read the speech which I made in the debate on child poverty, he will find how far we have felt we ought to go on selectivity. In the wider field, if we were to do what I think he is asking, it would lead to disincentives of all kinds and would be a very bad thing indeed.