§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken by the agency benefits unit to process forms AG1 submitted by practitioners; and whether he will take steps to speed up the process.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn the period 12 December 1988 to 3 February 1989 forms AG1 were cleared on average within 6.6 working days of receipt. This average masks a wide variation in clearance times due to the need to seek further information in some cases, and a more representative measure is that, in the same period, 61.2 per cent. of forms were cleared within five working days and 80.8 per cent. within 10 workings days.
The number of staff in the agency benefits unit was increased in December 1988. We are also looking at the design of form AG1 in the light of experience, with a view to improving its effectiveness and reducing the need for follow-up inquiries.