§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if form RR4 is available in all post offices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 16 June 1989]: Leaflet RR4 "Housing Benefit—new rules" is no longer available in all post offices.
From mid-June 1988 to the beginning of April 1989 the leaflet was on display in all Crown post offices. It was removed two months ago at the time of the benefit upratings and changes in some benefit rules. In Crown post offices the four A5 format leaflet display space that the department purchases is now occupied by information on family credit, housing benefit, NHS costs, and in Scotland, community charge rebate.
In sub-post offices, whilst leaflets such as RR4 are sent to all of them, neither the Department nor the Post Office has the power to instruct that these leaflets should be displayed or given out. As independent retailers sub-postmasters/mistresses can only be requested to do so.