§ 23. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make a statement on the closing of his Cleethorpes branch office; why the Cleethorpes Corporation was not consulted; and if he will now accept the Corporation's offer to find alternative accommodation in order to prevent the aged, sick and infirm from having to travel four miles for help and information.
§ Mr. WoodThe Cleethorpes office has recently been open on two days a week and is to be closed on 30th June. The number of callers has been falling and I am satisfied that the needs of the public can be met by my office at Grimsby. Arrangements are always made for a visit at home where an interview is necessary and because of age or infirmity travel is difficult.
The decision to close was taken on the unanimous recommendation of my local advisory committee, which serves the interests of the area as a whole, including Cleethorpes.
The Cleethorpes Corporation has made a helpful offer, but the question of accommodation is only one factor in the closure, which is being made primarily in order to achieve an efficient and economic organisation.