§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Camberwell Department of Health and Social Security office at Blenheim Grove meets normal civil service requirements with regard to the space available to house all the staff allocated to the office.
§ Mr. LyellThe staff complement of the Camberwell local office is 135 and the space requirement using agreed standards is 1,269 sq m. The staff areas at Blenheim Grove amount to 666 sq m. In addition, the office occupies space in another building at Red Cross Way, SE1 where the staff area is 850 sq m. The total space occupied in the two buildings is, therefore, in excess of agreed space standards.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to locate larger premises in the area covered by the Blenheim Grove office for use as a local supplementary benefit office.
§ Mr. LyellThe Property Services Agency has acquired the local Odeon cinema site for development where it plans to build two new local offices for the Department. The new offices will cover the area at present administered by the office at Blenheim Grove as well as areas from other neighbouring offices.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration has been given to using 72 Rye Lane, Peckham, as a temporary overflow office from the Camberwell Department of Health and Social Security office at Blenheim Grove.
§ Mr. LyellRye Lane was used as outhousing for Camberwell office for 18 months to June 1986. Further use 819W of these premises was not considered appropriate because of an inadequate ventilation system. The cost of improving the system would be uneconomical for a temporary occupation.
§ Ms Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what repair work has been carried out at the Department of Health and Social Security office in Blenheim Grove, Camberwell, since its closure on 18 August 1986:
§ Mr. LyellFollowing damage caused to the public caller area, the interview counters and protective screens have all been replaced. New seating has been installed. Security doors have been fitted in place of the existing internal doors adjacent to the caller section.
§ Ms Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what repair work will be carried out at the Department of Health and Social Security office in Blenheim Grove, Camberwell, by his Department over the next two years; and when the work will be carried out.
§ Mr. LyellNo repair work is scheduled for the nest two years. Subject to the availability of funds, there are plans for major adaptations on the ground floor which will increase the public caller area and convert the staff area into an open plan office.
§ Ms Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many telephone lines are available for incoming calls at the Camberwell Department of Health and Social Security office in Blenheim Grove; and if he will publish details of the British Telecom survey presently being carried out into the demand for telephone lines at the office.
§ Mr. LyellThe switchboard at the Blenheim Grove office is not open to receive incoming calls. Inquirers are advised by a prerecorded message to contact the Red Cross Way office where the majority of the Camberwell office staff are outhoused. At Red Cross Way there are eight lines available for incoming calls.
The survey that has been conducted by British Telecom is to assess the telephone service provided by the Red Cross Way office. The report is still awaited. When received, consideration will be given to placing a copy in the Library.