§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) to the Post Office, instructing sub-postmasters not to issue forms encouraging customers to opt for benefit payment at post offices. [122236]
§ Mr. RookerI have written no such letter.
I did recently write a private letter to Colin Baker (General Secretary of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters) about payment of benefits by automated credit transfer. However, it is not Government policy to make private letters such as this public.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the documents and publications produced by his Department and Agencies that are available at sub-post offices. [121625]
§ Mr. RookerThe following leaflets have been distributed to all post offices in Great Britain:
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Leaflet Benefit Rates (Leaflet GL23) Financial Help If You Work Or Are Looking For Work (WK1) Sick Or Disabled (SD1) Babies and Children (BC1) Retirement (RM1) For Parents Who Live Apart (CSA 2001) New Deal For Parents (LP15) Help With Your Rent (GL16) You have A Choice (PAY10) "You Have A Choice" is a joint leaflet produced with the Post Office to advise customers on the payment of benefits.
In addition posters have been distributed for display. Which posters are displayed depends on whether a Post Office Point Of Sale (POPOS) display board and viewing area are available in the post office. The distributed posters are:
Poster Social Security Benefit Rates (GL23P) Lone Parents (LP20P) Fraud Hotline Poster (NBFH0300) Help With Your Rent and Council Tax (GL16/17P) Welsh bilingual versions of all leaflets and posters are available in Wales.