§ 12 and 13. Mr. Ellisasked the Minister of Social Security (1) what long-term plans she has for dealing with the overcrowding of her Jamaica Street offices, Bristol;
(2) what immediate action she proposes to take to deal with the overcrowding at her Jamaica Street offices, Bristol.
§ Mr. PentlandMy right hon. Friend is aware that conditions at this office are unsatisfactory and it is hoped that premises will before long be made available for setting up an additional office in that locality. Meanwhile as a temporary relief I hope that overflow accommodation in another building will be ready for receiving callers by the end of the year.
§ Mr. EllisWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to continue to keep this situation under review, as very serious overcrowding is taking place, and to provide such assistance as may become necessary?
§ Mr. PentlandYes, Sir. As I have said, we are aware that the premises are highly unsatisfactory and we are doing what we can about it.
§ Mr. DobsonMay I have an assurance from my hon. Friend that the other premises which are to be used are not one of the other offices in Bristol—the Woodborough Street office, which is operating at the moment under the same sort of conditions as those at the Jamaica Street office?
§ Mr. PentlandNo, I cannot give my hon. Friend that assurance. But I can assure him that it is hoped that suitable 11 premises will be found soon and that the necessary internal structural work and the provision of the new equipment and so on will be completed in time for the office to be set up within five or six months.