§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those respondents to the welfare reform Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare", who(a) requested the abolition of means testing and (b) called for means testing to be extended to all benefits. [77540]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Welfare Reform Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare" (CM 3805), set out the framework for welfare reform, based on eight principles, together with a range of success measures. Views were invited on the contents of the Green Paper, specifically on those principles and success measures. The information gathered from the responses was categorised to reflect this. As views were not specifically sought on means testing and it did not feature in the guiding principles or success measures, a list of those who commented on it is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
A list of those organisations and academics who responded to the exercise, excluding those who requested confidentiality, has been placed in the Library. Copies of these responses are available on request from the Department. We have also placed in the Library a summary of responses.