§ Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to increase staff complements in his Department's offices in Ayrshire to handle the growth in the number of benefit claims.
§ Mr. MajorI refer the hon. Member to the reply from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Stevens) on 7 March at column322, in which he announced a major improvement to the Department of Health and Social Security manpower. Over 5,000 staff have been made available in addition to the normal complement. Ayrshire's share of the increase is 38. A full complement review in social security local offices is currently being carried out and the results will form the basis of the 1987–88 complement.