§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to ensure that a member of staff within the main disability living allowance unit in Blackpool is able to deal with inquiries from Welsh speakers in the Welsh language.
§ Mr. ScottThe provision of customer service at the disability living allowance unit 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 be placed in the Library.
Letter to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd from Mr. Michael Bichard, dated 26 November 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 asking whether it will become policy to ensure that a member of staff within the main Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Unit in Blackpool is able to deal with enquiries from Welsh Speakers in the Welsh language.
There are no arrangements for a specific member of staff in the DLA unit in Blackpool to deal with such enquiries. However, there are alternatives which ensure that Welsh speaking customers are given a service which ensures that they can use the Welsh language if they choose.
The Cardiff Disability Benefits Centre (DBC) deals with initial DLA claims from Welsh customers and has a Welsh speaker in its Customer Service Section. There is a telephone freeline available in Welsh which can provide free advice and help on all benefit matters including DLA. Within Wales all Districts operate a bilingual policy and the Agency has a Welsh Language and Media Unit.
If a customer contacts the DLA Unit in Blackpool we are able to offer a Welsh translation service for written communications. Telephone inquiries cannot be handled in Welsh but the customer can be referred to the Welsh Free Line, as can enquirers of the free Benefit Enquiry Line. Welsh Language versions of the DLA claim pack and a leaflet covering DLA are available and both are updated regularly.
Should there he a particular case which is causing you concern, please let me know and I will be happy to look into it further.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.