§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the literature and posters made available by his Department which are written in ethnic minority languages; which minority languages are employed for this purpose; whether each 213W document is also published in English in every case; what is the total cost of this documentation to public funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department of Health and Social Security does not currently publish any literature or posters in languages other than English and Welsh. A leaflet is, however, available with text in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese explaining the charges to overseas visitors for medical treatment in the United Kingdom. This cost £8,700 to print and has been distributed to the health service and British posts overseas. Consideration is also being given to a general foreign language leaflet explaining social security benefits.