§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will amend his Department's instructions to supplementary benefit officers in order (a) to make it clear that a mother does not have to answer such questions about her child's father as those set out in the section entitled "Illegitimacy" and (b) to emphasise that she should be so informed at the start of the interview, in accordance with paragraph 14 of the supplementary benefit handbook; and if he will make a statement;
(2) in what proportion of cases where a single mother is interviewed is information about her sexual relationships used in subsequent proceedings.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt) and Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara) on 27 March [Vol. 1, c.436].