HC Deb 29 January 1968 vol 757 cc866-7
18. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Social Security if she is satisfied that delays at local branches of her Department which pay out supplementary benefits are kept to the minimum; and what visits are paid to local branches by senior officials of her Department.

Mr. Loughlin

Local offices make every effort to avoid keeping claimants for supplementary benefits waiting any longer than necessary. Frequent visits are paid to local offices by officials from regional offices and headquarters, and for a variety of purposes.

Mr. Winnick

While I appreciate the work done by so many officials and local managers, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he would agree that more should be done to try to cut down unnessary delays? Could something be done as soon as possible to remove the feeling of people who draw supplementary benefit that they are drawing poor relief?

Mr. Loughlin

No one should imagine or be placed in the position of assuming that they are drawing poor relief when they go to the supplementary benefit offices. We try to keep down the delays to the minimum consistent with safeguarding the public purse. Obviously in many cases involving supplementary benefits inquiries and checks have to be made. There are bound to be some delays. But I assure my hon. Friend that our staff do a first-class job throughout the length and breadth of the country with the least inconvenience to those people calling at the offices.

Mr. Frederic Harris

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is not so much delay from which people in Croydon are suffering, as was suggested by the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick), but the lack of a more generous approach in making supplementary grants? If the Minister could give some guidance on that point to the officials in Croydon, it would be very helpful to those in need.

Mr. Loughlin

That is another question, but I do not know of any evidence which suggests that our officials at the Croydon office are less generous than those in any other office in the country.

Dr. Dunwoody

Has any estimate been made of the extra work which will result at the Ministry's local offices from the reintroduction of prescription charges?

Mr. Loughlin

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend has said this afternoon.

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