§ 28. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of National Insurance what is the required establishment of personnel and buildings for commencing operations on 5th July; and what is the present position.
§ Mr. SteeleThe estimated number of staff required to commence operations on 5th July, 1948, is 32,380. On 1st June, 1948, the number of staff was 28,852. The balance of about 3,500 will be in post by 5th July, 1948. As regards buildings, the central office at Newcastle is complete; and head offices have also been opened in each region in England and in Edinburgh and Cardiff. About 1,000 local offices were projected. Not quite all of these have yet been obtained or opened and owing to difficulties in obtaining premises, some of the offices have had to be sub-divided. The actual total of separate local offices open on 5th July will be 992. Not all these offices will be complete or in the most convenient places, but rectification will proceed as suitable premises become available. In addition, especially to cover certain rural areas, some 200 offices will be open on one or more days a week, according to need. In the relatively small number of places where the Ministry are temporarily unable to secure local offices the business will be transacted from the nearest convenient centre.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware, that, in accordance with my speech on 2nd November, 1944, National Insurance will come into operation on 5th July, and with it, national chaos?
§ Mr. SteeleI am happy in this respect that the hon. Gentleman is increasing his score of errors.