§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the current average waiting times in Scotland for(a) single payments under the supplementary benefit scheme, (b) new claims for supplementary benefit, (c) housing benefit, (d) family income supplement and (e) INVA.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that information in respect of single payments and housing benefit is not available.
Information in respect of new claims for supplementary benefit, family income supplement and invalidity benefit is not available in precisely the form requested. However, the following information is available.
The average clearance time for total new and repeat supplementary benefit claims in Scotland, for the four-week period ending 20 October 1987, was four days.
Source: 100 per cent, count of cases in action.
The average clearance time for claims to family income supplement on a national basis is 14 days.
Source: Special count of claims to 24 August 1987.
The average clearance time for claims to short term contributory benefits (sickness and invalidity benefits only) in Scotland, for the four-week period ending 20 October 1987, was seven days.
Source:100 per cent, count of cases in action.