§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons local statistics on cold weather payments prior to 1 November 1991 were destroyed without being recorded on microfiche; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will he placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 1 December 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about cold weather payment statistics.As you know, some local statistics had been destroyed in accordance with standing instructions. These instructions have been drawn up over some time (and applied before the Agency was formed). There is clearly a requirement to keep national information about Social Security benefits for a reasonable period of time, but in respect of local information, we need to balance this requirement against their diminishing relevance and the expenditure of public funds in the upkeep of excessive archives. This would include the transfer of records to microfiche.It is against this background that no local statistics are held prior to the financial year 1991–92. Information covering the former DHSS North Eastern Region (which includes Doncaster local offices) is, however, in the Library.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.