§ 12. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Social Security how many forms are in use by her Department; how many people are engaged in compiling and distributing them; and how this compares with the previous three years.
§ Mr. PentlandAbout 3,500 forms of different kinds are issued by my Department, and some 40 staff are occupied in their compilation and distribution. Enlarged responsibilities over the past three years have led to the need for more forms but the number of staff used on the associated work has not increased.
§ Mr. CostainDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that I asked specifically how many more forms? Does he realise that the nation is getting fed up with filling in forms? Can he not reduce the number?
§ Mr. PentlandThe hon. Gentleman has not received the reply which he expected. I said that the number of staff used on the associated work for these forms has not increased.
§ Mr. RoseWhat proportion of the increase in forms is due to the fact that people are now entitled to supplementary benefits, to which they were not entitled under the previous Government?
§ Mr. PentlandA considerable proportion.