§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 1999,Official Report, columns 305–07, (1) if he will list the running costs including (a) staff costs and (b) payments to Trillium and Newcastle Estate Partnerships in relation to his Department's estate in Scotland; [91307]
(2) if he will list the services offered at each of the properties detailed; which are involved in the processing and assessment of entitlement to benefits; what stages of the assessment are carried out at each centre; and if he will make a statement. [91308]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 19 July 1999]: During the financial year 1998–99, the salaries of staff employed in Scotland amounted to £130 million. During the same period, the costs of running the estates, including payments to Trillium, amounted to £28 million. In addition the Information Technology Services Agency has two properties in Scotland, which are sub-let to Electronic Data Services Ltd. on a full cost recovery basis which includes rent paid to Trillium. It is not possible to apportion accurately the costs of centrally administered benefits and services which relate to Scotland. The Newcastle Estate Partnership is not involved in the running of DSS buildings in Scotland.
Through its network of local offices, the Benefits Agency provides a comprehensive and accessible service throughout Scotland for over 20 different social security 679W benefits. These offices also accept claims applications and notices of change of circumstances for centrally administered benefits.
Applicants for Child Support in Scotland are administered from the Agency Centre in Falkirk.