§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the progress of his Department's experiment in Shropshire with a 219W single and simple national and local benefit claim form.
§ Mr. OrmeThe experimental 12-month period in Shropshire ended on 31st July and the participating authorities agreed to continue the scheme for a second year. The take-up of benefits and the public reaction are being analysed and evaluated and meanwhile as a result of experience during the first year several changes are being made to the claim form originally used. A revised form will shortly be printed. Because of the amount of information needed to determine entitlement to the various benefits the claim form has had to be lengthy.