§ Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time taken by the Newcastle computer office to reissue an adjusted child benefit book; and, in view of the fact that in Lincolnshire, despite the efficiency of his local office, it takes an average of eight weeks for an amended book to come through, if he will take steps to improve this situation.
§ Mr. OrmeThe average time taken by the Child Benefit Centre to deal with a change of circumstances, from the time that notice of the change is received at a local office to the time that the new order book is issued, is 13.76 working days, with a median of 12 days. These periods include the time taken to recall the current order book after a revised rate of benefit has been decided.
I understand that the hon. Member has raised two cases of delay with the local
SECURE PLACES PLANNED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION Observation and assessment centres Community homes with education on the premises Area Boys Girls Mixed Boys Girls Mixed Northern Region … … … 0 0 3 0 0 36 Yorkshire and Humberside Region 0 0 11 30 0 0 North Western Region … … 18 4 10 8 8 8 West Midlands Region … … 0 5 10 0 0 4 East Midlands Region … … 6 0 0 0 0 8 East Anglia Region … … 0 6 0 0 0 0 Thames Valley Chilterns … … 0 6 10 0 3 0 London Region … … … 18 6 2 0 24 0 Southern Eastern Region … 0 0 5 0 0 0 Wessex Region … … … 10 0 3 0 0 0 South Western Region … … 12 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL … … … 64 27 54 38 35 56 Youth treatment centres are the responsibility of my Department. An additional 12 places for girls and boys are to be provided at the St. Charles Youth Treatment Centre, Brentwood, Essex.
Comparable information in respect of hospital facilities is not readily available but I am aware that the Northern, Yorkshire, Trent and South-East Thames Regional Health Authorities are considering
716Woffice, which has replied to him about the first, whilst the Child Benefit Centre will be replying about the second.