§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent needs payments were made in 98W sickness benefit; and if he will take steps to avoid similar delays consequent upon the centralisation of disablement benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonThe sickness and disablement benefit work of 10 local offices in the Department's London South region has been outstationed in three counties for many years. The evidence available to me suggests that, overall, this has resulted in a quicker, not slower, service to the public.
Following the introduction of statutory sick pay in April 1983, the disablement benefit work of all local offices in the region is being continued at the three outstations. It is too early yet to assess the effects of this, but I see no reason to suppose that it will entail unnecessary delays.