§ 12. Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the representation he has received, he will reconsider his decision to close his Department's part-time local office at Hope.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNo, Sir. The Hope office has been little used in recent years. Only two people on average called for advice on the one day each week on which it was open. A few others called to hand in documents which could have been sent by post. The proposal to close was considered by the Sheffield Social Security Advisory Committee and was agreed by them subject to a review in six months' time.
§ Mr. JacksonWhile I do not seek to deny the facts spelt out by my hon. Friend, may I ask whether he recognises that certain of my constituents are put to serious inconvenience and expense in having to travel to Sheffield? The cost 807 is no mean sum. It is of the order of 5s. One opening a week is perhaps more than is required, but will he consider the possibility of opening the office, say, every other week?
§ Mr. O'MalleyMy hon. Friend will have noticed that it has been agreed to review this in six months' time. But I should point out that officials from the Department would be and are prepared to visit people in their homes if the circumstances make that necessary. However, the majority of such cases are and can be dealt with by correspondence.