§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he plans to increase the level of staff, facilities and space at Department of Health and Social Security offices to enable benefits of increasing numbers of claimants to be dealt with more swiftly.
§ Mr. MajorA comprehensive review of the staffing requirement for DHSS local offices was started in October 1985 and results are expected to be available in the second half of 1986. Meantime, work loads and staffing levels will continue to be monitored quarterly in accordance with the established complementing system, a process which recently resulted in the addition of 733 posts. The provision of office facilities sufficient for the effective transaction of business remains an important objective within the limits of the funds available.
Grade 1 April 1979 1 November 1985 Difference Percentage difference Principal 252.0 239.0 -13.0 -5.2 Senior Executive Officer 555.0 369.0 -186.0 -33.5 Higher Executive Officer 2,607.0 2,710.0 +103.0 +4.0 Local Officer I 15,222.0 16,243.5 +1,021.5 +6.7 Executive Officer 8.0 14.0 +6.0 +75.0 Local Officer II 34,716.0 31,423.5 -3,292.5 -9.5 Clerical Officer 10.0 7.0 -3.0 -30.0 Clerical Assistant 9,080.5 8,9070.0 -173.5 -1.9 Superintendent/Senior/Chief Typists 73.0 76.0 +3.0 +4.1 Typist 1,313.5 1,233.0 -80.5 -6.0 Security Officer 230.0 330.5 +100.5 +43.7 Messenger 567.5 526.0 -41.5 -7.3 Medical Board Assistant 13.0 20.0 +7.0 +53.8 Radiographer 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -100.0 Cleaners 475.0 432.0 -43.0 -9.0 Total 65,207.0 62,687.5 -2,519.5 -3.9 The local office at Molineux house, Temple street, Wolverhampton was not opened until January 1981. Staffing, grade by grade, is given in the table: