§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training officers of his Department have had with regard to the implementation of the directive on equal treatment for men and women in social security matters.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Department's officers have instructions and guidance on the operation of the equal treatment provisions and officers dealing with supplementary benefit, family income supplement and retirement pensions receive training on the provisions as part of their general training. Self instructional training was provided on the subject in autumn 1984 for officers concerned with the introduction and operation of severe disablement allowance, and is currently being prepared for officers dealing with sickness and invalidity benefits. The need for further training is being kept under review.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that married and cohabiting women are informed of the regulations under the directive on equal treatment for men and women in social security matters.
§ Mr. WhitneyLeaflet NI 248, "New ways of claiming for couples", setting out the equal treatment provisions, was produced in November 1983. Claim forms and other leaflets have been amended to refer to the provisions and 265W to leaflet NI 248 which is obtainable from local social security and unemployment benefit offices. A new edition of leaflet NI 248 is in hand.