§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of those eligible for one-parent benefit currently do not claim it; and if he will introduce a television campaign to increase take-up.
§ Mrs. ChalkerBased on the latest available figures—November 1980—it is estimated that an additional 150,000 lone parents would gain from one-parent benefit if they claimed. There are a number of measures in hand intended to improve the take-up of the benefit including the use of TV "fillers", but there are no plans at present to introduce a TV campaign.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage those lone parents who opt for weekly payment of child benefit in 1982 to claim one-parent benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerYes. All those who opt for weekly payment on the grounds of being a lone parent and who are not already receiving one-parent benefit will be contacted.