§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effect on the backlog of processing claimants' applications for disability living and working allowances of the accidental cutting through of the cables operating at his Department's headquarters near Blackpool on 6 May.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of disability living allowance 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 from George Bardwell to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 9 July 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is Michael Bichard's responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. As he is out of Leeds on Benefits Agency business I am replying on his behalf to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking if he will make a statement on the effect on the backlog of processing claimants applications for disability and working allowances of the accidental cutting through the cables operating at his Department's headquarters near Blackpool on 6 May.I understand that British Telecom engineers accidentally cut through telephone cables and affected some telephones at our offices at Warbreck House, Blackpool. The situation was rectified within a matter of hours though and I am not aware of any significant delay to claim processing because of it.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.