HC Deb 03 June 1986 vol 98 c726
13. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has now received the Ernst and Whinney report on his Department's manning levels necessary to implement the provisions of the Social Security Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major

The study to which the hon. Member refers was carried out last year concurrently with the consultation period on the Social Security Green Paper proposals. The report was delivered to the Department in October 1985. It provided an independent initial view, to complement management's assessment, of the broad staffing implications of the then Green Paper proposals prior to the preparation of the White Paper and the Social Security Bill.

Mr. Kirkwood

The Minister will be aware of the implications of the Social Security Bill that is passing through the other place. Will he assure the House that the Ernst and Whinney report will be published? The operational aspects of the changes are very important and will have far-reaching consequences. What plans do the Government have to publish the changes, so that the public can be made aware of what is to be expected when the system is implemented?

Mr. Major

The Ernst and Whinney study was only one of a number of studies—the others being made internally—that were carried out on staffing matters. It would be misleading to publish the study carried out on the Green Paper, as there have been structural alterations of some substance to the Bill.