§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the further consultative papers foreshadowed in his White Paper on social security.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department has issued two consultation papers today seeking views on proposals for a statutory maternity allowance scheme and changes to the industrial injuries scheme as foreshadowed in paragraphs 5.22 and 5.9 of the recent White Paper on social security.* Comments on both papers have been requested by 15 February 1986. I am arranging for copies of the papers to be placed in the Library and in the Vote Office.
As I informed the House yesterday in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) at columns 229–30, a consultation paper on proposed changes in benefits for students, along the lines indicated in paragraph 3.34 of the White Paper, will be published early in the new year.
* Reform of Social Security: Programme for Action (Cmnd. 9691.)