asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why on Thursday 16th December he stated that the present supplementary benefit system is too complicated for claimants to understand; why he called for the whole scheme and appeals system to be improved; whether he will detail the actions which he has taken to do this during his tenure of office; and when he expects to put right the present unsatisfactory situation.
The main factors which led us to set up a review of the supplementary benefits scheme were set out by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in its Annual Report (Cmnd 6615) published in September 1976. I expect to receive a report from the review team within the next few months and I intend that any proposals for changes in the scheme should be published so that they can be widely studied. Although any major changes in the structure of the scheme will require legislation I would hope to bring into effect as soon as possible any improvements that do not require legislation. We have already produced a new series of supplementary benefits leaflets that are simpler to read and understand. For information about improvements already made in relation to supplementary benefits appeal tribunals I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 16th November 1977.—[Vol. 939, c. 225–6]