§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the implementation of the housing benefits procedure; and what increase in local authority staff has been involved.
§ Lord GlenarthurHousing benefit was implemented in two stages. The first stage, last November, was implemented successfully. Over 5½ million claimants were involved in the second stage this April, and the great majority of claimants were transferred to the new scheme on time. But the size of the task was such that many authorities encountered at least some problems. My honourable friend made a detailed statement about the latest position in another place on 26th July 1983. It will not be possible to make firm estimates of local authority staffing requirements or administrative costs until the new scheme has begun to settle down.