§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been spent in each of the past five years on advising claimants on new provisions in housing benefit and statutory sick pay.
§ Mr. WhitneyI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 23 November [Official Report, Vol. 68, c. 524–6]. In 1982–83 the Department spent £300,000 on a national press campaign and the production of a public information television item about the new housing benefit scheme. In addition, a notification was sent to all existing claimants. Local authorities have had responsibility for housing benefit publicity since the scheme's introduction, although information is not available centrally on the amount of money they have spent.
The Department also spent £447,000 on press and television items explaining the statutory sick pay scheme following its introduction in 1983–84. A poster and leaflets for claimants costing £37,000 were also issued. The cost of advice given by the Department's local office in response to claimant's enquiries is not available.