§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware that there are now 27,000 people living in the new town of East Kilbride; and when he plans to open a full-time office for conducting National Assistance and pensions business.
§ Miss PittThe National Assistance Board informs me that it has no immediate plans for the setting up of a full-time office at East Kilbride, which would not, in its view, be justified by the volume of National Assistance business arising there at present, or expected in the next few years.
With regard to National Insurance most claimants prefer to conduct their business by post. However, a caller office attended by an officer of the Department is available at the office of the Ministry of Labour and National Service on the afternoons of Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 2.0 p.m. to 4.0 p.m. These arrangements have so far proved completely sufficient, but I will keep an eye on the adequacy of this.