HC Deb 31 October 1984 vol 65 cc1071-2W
Mr. Frank Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the industrial dispute by staff in his Department at the Tyne and Wear centre is preventing the Government carrying out any of their legal responsibilities.

Mr. Newton

The emergency arrangements we have made have ensured that most beneficiaries have continued to receive their benefits and can generally expect to receive on time the appropriate uprating increase and the Christmas bonus where they qualify for it. A minority of those pensioners who have chosen to be paid by payable order, or are resident overseas, are not at present being paid because they have not been in touch with the Department in order to enable us to activate emergency payments; but they will receive all money due to them as soon as possible. Some beneficiaries are being paid under interim payment regulations until their claims can be decided by an adjudication officer. Staff are also being paid under emergency procedures, but it is not at present practicable to provide itemised pay statements.

Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the current dispute at the Department of Health and Social Services headquarters in Newcastle; and how he proposes to ensure payment of the November pensions increase and the Christmas bonus if the strike continues.

Mr. Newton

I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 22 October at column504–505.

Electorate 1979–1984 growth
Non-metropolitan County (ranked by percentage growth) 1979 register 1984 register Increase in electorate Percentage increase
Buckinghamshire 390,168 435,745 45,577 11.7
Cambridgeshire, 412,221 448,946 36,725 8.9
Wiltshire 369,349 401,646 32,297 8.7
Northamptonshire 374,686 405,892 31,206 8.3
Berkshire 483,489 523,521 40,032 8.3
Hampshire 1,049,984 1,131,792 81,808 7.8

Dr. McDonald

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will provide up-to-date figures for the cost of the Department of Social Services dispute in Newcastle; and if he will give the increase in this figure for every week the dispute continues;

(2) if he will provide a breakdown of the costs of the Department of Health and Social Services dispute to date.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 26 October at column751.