§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 8 January, 21 January and 25 February, with regared to Mr. McNulty, 12 Osborne road, sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton.
§ Mr. ScottThe right hon. Member's letter of 8 January was passed to Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency to reply as it concerned an operational matter. I understand from Mr. Bichard that he replied on 19 January 1993. The letter of 21 January did not seek action or comment on the part of Ministers. I have no record of receipt of the letter of 25 February from the right hon. Member on this matter.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 419W 25 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. A. Ali, 25 Hator road, about whom the right hon. Member originally wrote on 12 October 1992.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of mobility allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the benefits agency. I understand that the right hon. Member has already received from the agency a reply both to his earlier letter and to his question. I regret the delay he has suffered.
Letter from Ann Robinson to Mr. Gerald Kaufman, dated 1 April 1993
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard to answer questions on relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking when he will reply to the letter to him dated 25 February asking about Mrs. A. Ali, 25 Hector Road, about whom the Right honourable Member originally wrote on 12 October 1992.
I am pleased to inform you that Mrs. Ali's claim to Mobility Allowance on behalf of her daughter Shabana has now been decided and due notification has been sent to her. I am sorry that there has been such a long delay in dealing with Mrs. Ali's claim and I offer my sincere apologies to her for the distress and inconvenience this must have caused. I have written to you separately and in greater detail about this matter.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.