§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has and what research he is conducting on the numbers of staff or the percentage of their time released by remote benefit assessment.
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§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardUp to now, estimates of staff time released by computerisation of social security benefits have been based on a comparison between existing clerical processes and the theoretical timings of the computerised systems. These currently indicate savings of 12,250 by 1995. The timings will be confirmed through the normal review programme which assesses staff resources and which will include particular reference to the impact of remote benefit assessment in all work areas.
Research can be undertaken only when the systems are fully operational in sufficient offices to ensure a statistically acceptable sample.