§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he intends to review the procedures at local offices in Wales to ensure that(a) claimants are made aware of the fact that certain forms are available in the Welsh language or in a bilingual form and (b) that local offices keep a sufficient supply of these forms to meet demand.
§ Mr. Peter LloydOfficials are undertaking a review of all aspects of the provision of forms in the Welsh language in the light of the 1988 social security reforms and the Department's communications strategy. This will include consideration of publicity and supply arrangements.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the forms which are available in a bilingual form at local offices in Wales by reference to the nature of the benefit claimed.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Department does not produce bilingual forms.
The following list contains all the forms currently available, or in preparation, in Welsh.
- Family Credit—FC1 and FC2 (with printers)
- Social Fund—SF100, SF200, SF101, SF102, Sf103 and SF113
- General—BF134
- National Insurance—NI255 and RD3A
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will review the adequacy of the provision of forms in the Welsh language at local offices in Wales and in particular forms of application for sickness benefit.
§ Mr. Peter LloydOfficials are undertaking a review of the arrangements for producing Welsh language versions of some of those social security forms for local offices in Wales.
A Welsh language version of application form SC1, for sickness benefits, is not available. The great majority of claims are for statutory sick pay and are handled by employers.