HC Deb 24 July 1972 vol 841 c234W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider employing one qualified social service worker in every local office of the Ministry of Healthand Social Services, to assist their staff in work where their expert assistance would be considered valuable.

Mr. Channon

Any person attending one of the Ministry's local offices who requires the help of a social service worker is put in touch with the appropriate county welfare service.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local offices of the Ministry of Health and Social Services there are in Northern Ireland; how many of these have been built in the last 10 years and the last 20 years; in which office separate accommodation is provided for the employment services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

Thirty-two. Seventeen of these were built in the last 10 years and 24 in the last 20 years.

Separate accommodation for the employment services is provided in Belfast, Ballymena and Newtownards. The separate employment service office in Londonderry was destroyed by a terrorist explosion last year; service is now provided in the Crown Building pending the erection of a new building.

In all other local offices separate accommodation within the Crown Building is provided for the employment service.

An extensive building programme is in hand to replace unsatisfactory local offices and to provide new offices.