§ 2. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Social Security what steps she is taking to give publicity to the achievements of her Department and its future plans.
§ Miss HerbisonThe work and achievements of my Department are always fully described in Annual Reports, which are presented to Parliament and are reported in the Press. Major new changes such as the introduction last year of the new schemes of supplementary benefits and of earnings-related benefits are given wide-spead national and provincial publicity through the Press, radio and television, and by the use of posters, leaflets and talks. Matters arising from the review of the social security schemes will continue to be brought forward as they become ready and will be given publicity in the usual way.
§ Mr. RobertsI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer, but will she consider taking additional steps to increase television and newspaper advertising, so enabling a clearer picture to be obtained of the improving status of pensioners and others in receipt of social security benefits?
§ Miss HerbisonI will send my hon. Friend particulars of all that we have been trying to do for the last two years. He will see that efforts on publicity have been very wide indeed.