§ 22. Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of high travel costs, he will relax the restrictions on payment of unemployment benefit by post.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe hon. Member no doubt has in mind the facilities for signing and claiming unemployment benefit by post which are usually offered to claimants who live six miles or more by ordinary road from the unemployment benefit office. Postal claiming carries with it a greater risk of fraud and abuse and my right hon. Friend has no plans to extend the arrangements at the present time.