§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there is only one telephone line for each half of the alphabet for all inquiries about the payment of invalid care allowance; what is the average delay in paying back claims; and what improvements he intends to institute to ensure that cases receive their entitlement as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. ScottFive telephone lines are available for inquiries of the invalid care allowance unit at Preston which currently takes an average of 19.2 weeks to process a backdated claim. We are taking all practical steps to reduce this period.