HC Deb 21 February 1978 vol 944 cc590-2W
Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken following the conclusions of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to his investigations into Case No. C454/77, Session 1977–78.

Mr. Orme

The complainant was invited to claim a refund of contributions paid for the period 21st January 1974 to 5th April 1975 and these contributions were refunded on 16th February 1978.

Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what actions he has taken following the inspections initiated as a result of the investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration into Case No. C212/77, Session 1977–78.

Mr. Orme

The report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration into this case indicated that the major factors leading to the complaint were the lack of cross-referencing between related case papers and inadequate liaison between sections of the local office involved. As a result of the investigation into the complaint the regional office carried out an inspection of the office, with emphasis on these points. The inspection showed that the fundamental problem was one of overcrowding, as a result of increases in work load and the introduction of new benefits since the office was set up. This had necessitated the outstationing of two large blocks of staff in two different buildings, with resulting communication problems.

There are long-term plans for opening an additional office in the area and the real problems should be overcome. The inspection team suggested several measures to bring about improvement in the meantime. The main recommendations were the introduction of pro formas for communication between sections, new control to aid the prompt identification and subsequent elimination of bottlenecks which might otherwise not be recognised so easily in this kind of premises, and changes in filing systems.

A follow-up inspection has been made and this found that considerable improvements in efficiency had resulted from these changes, which had all been introduced.

Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken following the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in Case No. C138/77, Session 1977–78.

Mr. Orme

The Department's apologies were accepted and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration saw this as a satisfactory outcome of that part of the complaint that related to delay in payments. No recommendation for further action was made and none has been taken.

Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken following the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in Case No. C258/K, Session 1977–78.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Arrears of war disablement pension due for the period from 1947 to 1964 were paid from 2nd April 1947, which was the effective date of the Hancock Report on the Schedule of Assessments to the Royal Warrant. An ex-gratia payment was also made as compensation for the delay in settling the case.

Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken following the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in Case No. C772/K, Session 1977–78.

Mr. Orme

The Department's apologies were accepted by the Parliamentary Commissioner as a proper response to the complaints that had been made. No recommendation for further action was made and none has been taken.