§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing the total number of recipients and the total cost of benefit in each of the years 1979–80 to 1984–85 and estimated recipients and expenditure in 1985–86 on each of the following: (a) rent rebates and allowances to 1982–83 and standard housing benefit rent assistance from 1983–84, (b) rate rebates to 1982–83 and standard housing benefit rates assistance from 1983–84, (c) supplementary benefit to 1982–83 and certificated housing benefit from 1983–84 towards rent payments and (d) supplementary benefit to 1982–83 and certificated housing benefit from 1983–84 towards rates payments.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information requested is in the table.
of supplementary benefit claims, particularly for single payments, at the Blenheim Grove office of his Department in Southwark.
§ Mr. WhitneyA routine survey of the Blenheim Grove, Southwark, local social security office was completed last month. The survey shows that there have been improvements in the time taken to deal with benefit claims. We will continue to monitor performance, as we do in all local offices, and would be happy to investigate cases of delay brought to the attention of the hon. Member.