§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish for each standard region and for the United Kingdom the number of reported cases of assault on the staff of the Benefits Agency in their offices or in the course of their work for the last available three years; and if he will make a statement. [8687]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 18 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will publish for each standard region and for the United Kingdom the number of reported cases of assault on the staff of the Benefits Agency in their offices or in the course of their work for the last available three years; and if he will make a statement.The Benefits Agency produces annual statistics to show the reported numbers of assaults on its staff. These statistics are not available in the form requested. Annexe A gives details of the information available.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Annexe A: Reported cases of assault on the staff of the benefits agency Analysis by area directorate 11992 1993 1994 Scotland and Northern England Tyne Tees — 5 7 South Yorkshire and Humberside — 11 8 North and West Yorkshire — 6 7 Glasgow and Paisley — 2 9 North, Central and West Scotland — 2 3 Eastern Scotland — 1 7 Wales and Central England East Midlands — 5 11 Midlands South West — 5 3 West Mercia — 5 1 Wales — 4 5 Merseyside — 9 3 Greater Manchester — 2 1 Lancashire and Cumbria — 6 5 Southern England Anglia — 3 4 Chilterns — 0 12 South London and West Sussex — 4 16 West Country — 7 7 East London and Essex — 3 5 South East — 6 9 Wessex — 1 3 Totals 108 87 126 1Area details not available. Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.