§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken, or will be taking, to improve access to the benefits system for people who are visually impaired by providing more official information in large print, Braille, or on tape; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe provision of benefit information is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Alfred Morris, dated 28 April 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding the provision of benefit information in large print, Braille, or on tape.
The Benefits Agency has a contract with RNIB to provide information for visually impaired people in Braille. Last year 28 different leaflets were translated, and 450 eye hospitals were mailed with the Braille version of FB19 Social Security benefits—A guide for blind and partially sighted people. This year we are working to extend the distribution of material further and translate yet more leaflets.
The Agency also produces the publication FB19 in both large print and as an audio tape. In the year 1992–93, 80,000 booklets and 40,000 tapes of this publication were mailed to visually impaired people. A similar level of activity is planned for this current year.
A number of services are available from the Benefit Enquiry Line for visually impaired customers. These include a forms completion service in Braille and large print.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.