HC Deb 04 November 1968 vol 772 c462
10. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the entitlement leaflet, distributed in certain parts of the country at the end of July, will be distributed in the London area.

The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Stephen Swingler)

The distribution of this leaflet was deliberately confined to certain parts of the country so that the relative effectiveness of different methods of publicity in this field could be assessed. It is not yet possible to complete this assessment, and it would accordingly be premature to decide whether the leaflet—which will in any case need amendment to show the increased rates of certain benefits—should be distributed in other areas, including London.

Mr. Barnes

As 16 million of these leaflets were printed, and as there is an undoubted need for a campaign of this type in the London area, may I ask my hon. Friend to give the House an assurance that he will go ahead and distribute them in London as soon as possible, because it is during the winter that the greatest need for benefit occurs?

Mr. Swingler

I think that this is a deliberate decision to confine distribution to certain parts of the country. I think we should wait until the analysis is available—it involves a number of Government Departments—and then we shall consider what action it is appropriate to take for London.