§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency public caller offices were closed during the period April 1992 to May 1997; how many have been closed since May 1997; and how many are under review. [46980]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, its Chief Executive. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 7 July 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the number of Benefits Agency public caller offices closed during the period April 1992 to May 1997, the number closed since May 1997, and the number under review.The numbers are as follows:
- April 1992 to May 1997: 62
- Since May 1997: 2
- Under review: 11
Since May 1997, where a public caller office has been closed, measures have been taken to ensure that there was no reduction in the level of service to customers. The 2 public caller offices closed since May 1997 are Evesham and Bromsgrove. Although the closure of Bromsgrove has been approved, the closing date has not been finalised.We are consulting the local community about the future of those offices under review.I hope you find this reply helpful.