§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Wales are receiving community charge benefit; what assessment he has made of the level of awareness among potential beneficiaries of the availability of this benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardFull information from the Department's statistical surveys is not yet available, but it is estimated that currently nearly 600,000 individual charge payers in Wales are receiving community charge benefit. Most local authorities undertook publicity to ensure that potential claimants were aware that they might be entitled to benefit, and the Government have publicised the benefit scheme through television and newspaper advertisements and leaflets. Awareness of community charge benefit is generally high.