asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many appeals are outstanding following the issue of form BO 3TD;(2) why his Department's form BO 3TD makes no reference to the claimants' dependants; and if he will consider amending it;(3) how many forms BO 3TD have been issued by local offices since 1 January 1979;(4) on what date form BO 3TD was issued in its present wording.

Form BO 3TD is issued when someone who is treated as a striker for supplementary benefit purposes claims benefit for his personal requirements. The form does not need to contain information about his dependants' requirements as he should have been given this already. I agree, however, that the wording of the form might lead to misunderstanding on the point. I am therefore considering an amendment. The present wording was introduced in January 1974, with an addition made to the notes on the back in June 1975. I regret that information about the numbers of forms issued and appeals outstanding is not available.