§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many pensioners were in receipt of supplementary benefits in the area served by the Cumnock office of his Department in 1969; how many are currently receiving such benefits; and what are the like figures for the rest of the South Ayrshire Constituency;
(2) how many people, excluding pensioners, were in receipt of supplementary benefits in the area served by the Cumnock office of his Department; and how many are currently receiving such benefits.
§ Mr. Ennals:I regret the information is not readily available and could be obtained only by special enquiry.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how long supplementary benefit cases in the Cumnock area have been dealt with by officers from Ayr journeying to Cumnock; what are the total administrative and travelling costs involved; if he is satisfied with the level of these; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Ennals:The Cumnock area has always been administered from Ayr for supplementary benefit purposes. Since 1966, when the Ministry of Social Security was formed, a service for supplementary benefits callers has been provided at the local social security office at Cumnock, the local staff being augmented as necessary by staff from the Ayr LO specialising in supplementary benefits work. Detailed information as to the administrative and travelling costs is not available, but I am satisfied that the present arrangements are the most efficient consistent with the provision of a satisfactory service for supplementary benefit callers. As my hon. Friend knows, some of the back-room staff of the Cumnock office will, in due course, be transferred to offices in Ayr and Dumfries but the service provided to the public at Cumnock will not be affected.