asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instruct those responsible for writing his Department's leaflets to use plain, simple English so that claimants can understand their entitlement.

The Department always strives to write leaflets in as simple English as possible. The main obstacle to comprehension is frequently the complexity of the legislation covered in the leaflet. However, the fact that the Department's leaflets have won awards in the two Plain English Society competitions held to date shows some measure of success in making the leaflets easier to understand.