HC Deb 09 May 1978 vol 949 cc956-8
6. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the effects on home visiting for pensioners that have resulted, or will result, from cuts in staffing in the Department of Health and Social Security offices.

The Minister for Social Security (Mr. Stanley Orme)

The supplementary benefit home visiting service for pensioners has been improved because more routine review visits will result from the reduction of the interval between these visits. New claims from pensioners are still being dealt with on visit.

Mr. Skinner

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, unlike the parties opposite which voted to cut taxes and now seemingly want to increase public expenditure at the same time, I am asking him to ensure that a large amount is spent on visits to old-age pensioners so that they can claim supplementary benefit? Will he ensure that there are no further staff cuts in these offices and note that it would be helpful if some of the cuts could be restored?

Mr. Orme

I understand my hon. Friend's feeling on this matter. He referred to the Opposition—

Mr. Skinner

And the Liberals.

Mr. Orme

—and their attitude to public expenditure, but their irresponsibility has not yet finished because tomorrow night they will take it a stage further. I can assure my hon. Friend that pensioners are now being visited once every three years as opposed to once every five years previously, and I certainly take note of the need to see that pensioners and others are properly taken care of by our office.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

As delays occur in connection with benefits—

Mr. William Hamilton

How did the hon. Gentleman vote last night?

Mr. Wilson

Despite the jeering of Labour Members, will the Minister pay attention to the fact that the cuts carried out by the Government three years ago caused a deterioration in services? What surveys have been carried out by his Department into the effect of those cuts and their impact on benefits?

Mr. Orme

The hon. Gentleman has not helped the Government very much in trying to replace the cuts, and it is right that my hon. Friends should respond as they have to the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends. We have carried out a survey and pensioners are being looked after by increased visits. Unemployed people are being called to the offices rather than being visited, and we are keeping the matter very much under review.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) proceeded on an entirely erroneous basis? Is it not a fact, as demonstrated in an answer given by the Under-Secretary last month, that the number of staff per 10,000 claimants has doubled in the last 12 years and that within that huge total there must now be room for staff savings without affecting the service to clients?

Mr. Orme

I remind the right hon. Gentleman that although the number of staff in the Department has increased, benefits and services have also increased under this Government. We must serve the public.