HC Deb 05 March 1951 vol 485 cc9-10W
80 and 83. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) to what extent National Assistance Board officers are required by General Circular (1948), No. 111, to admit members of the public to their homes; and what facilities are available for attention to public business at the residences of the officers concerned;

(2) whether she will consider meeting the requirements of the National Assistance Board for a 24-hour service by a scheme of voluntary duty instead of the existing requirements of General Circular (1948) No. 111, relating to dealing with callers at the private residences of officers.

Mr. Houghton

81, 82 and 84. asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) how many applicants for National Assistance have been dealt with at the homes of officers of the Board since the issue of General Circular (1948), No. 111; and how many officers were concerned;

(2) whether she is aware that the issue of General Circular (1948), No. 111, by the National Assistance Board continues to be a source of dissatisfaction to the staff side of the National Assistance Board Whitley Council; and whether she will request the Board to review the requirement that certain local officers must be prepared to deal with callers on official business at their private residences;

(3) by what power the National Assistance Board are requiring area officers and executive officers on the staff of area offices to deal with calls by members of the public on official business at the private residences of the officers.

Mr. B. Taylor

Circular No. 111 (1948) informs area officers and executive officers that they will be expected to take any necessary action in an urgent case coming to them outside office hours, but they have not been instructed to admit callers to their homes. In the 2¼ years to December, 1950, about 2,200 persons called at the homes of 169 officers (out of about 2,500 officers possibly concerned); about 660 callers applied for assistance of one kind or another. Apart from telephones installed at the public expense in some officers' homes, no special facilities have been provided, nor are any considered necessary.

This matter has been discussed on many occasions by the Departmental Whitley Council of the National Assistance Board, and it is regretted that the two sides of the Council have been unable to reach agreement. An attempt to provide a voluntary service has been made but failed because there were not enough volunteers in all areas. The Board are satisfied that the present arrangement is within their power and is the best that could be made in the public interest. The Board's officers are paid on a case basis for this work.