HC Deb 11 November 1968 vol 773 c33W
Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new instructions he plans to issue about the interviewing by local advisory committees of certain persons receiving supplementary allowances.

Mr. Loughlin

I said in the House on 4th December last that the old style interviewing by whole sub-Committees is out of the question. The present practice which enables claimants to discuss their problems on a personal basis with an individual committee member is working reasonably well in most places, but experience shows both that interviews by one member, of the minority of claimants who are trying to avoid work is not very helpful and that no good purpose is served by restricting consultation by managers in those cases where the claimant is handicapped in obtaining employment through no fault of his own.

The arrangements are therefore being modified so as to enable managers to consult any members who may be able to help in the latter cases and so as to allow an interview by two but not more, members, of a claimant whom experience shows is trying to avoid work.—[Vol. 755. c. 942.]