asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his October advertisements on television on family income supplement failed to mention that this benefit was available to the self-employed; and in the light of the fact that the availability of this benefit to the self-employed is widely unknown, what action he is taking by advertisements (a) on television, (b) on sound radio, (c) in the press and (d) by post, to convey this information effectively to those who would benefit from it.

The self-employed could not be specifically mentioned in the television advertisement for FIS because there was not sufficient time in the 30-second length. The advertisement encouraged people to get the leaflet which does cover the self-employed.Previous experiments in using independent radio to advertise FIS have proved inconclusive and we do not at present propose to use it. The Department's press advertisements will continue to mention the eligibility of the self-employed.