§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the status and purpose of the study in communications commissioned within his Department; and when it will be published.
§ Mr. ScottThe communications and the operational strategy study is a pilot exercise being conducted in the London south region over the next three months. Its purpose is to help local office management draw up local communications plans; collect views on the adequacy of the centrally produced material on training, manuals and briefings; and to test new ideas on guidance for users of information technology. A communication focus group has been set up in the region to monitor the exercise. Good ideas that emerge will be spread to other regions. It is too early to say when the results will be made available and in what form.