HC Deb 06 July 1989 vol 156 cc248-9W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single parents in receipt of one-parent benefit have been sent green forms instructing them to send their benefit books to local social security offices.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Postal review is a normal part of benefit procedure. A postal review of one-parent benefit claimants began in February. So far 300,000 postal review forms have been issued. Claimants should return their order books to the social security office only if they have changes to report.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has issued any instructions to local social security offices laying down a maximum period for which one-parent benefit books sent in as directed by green forms may be held before being returned to the parent.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

No. All order books returned to local offices for adjustment are returned as soon as possible. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind he may care to write to me.