§ Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Social Security what plans she has for the reorganisation of her local offices; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartLong-term plans are being prepared in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works, for bringing the offices of my Ministry together into all-purpose social security offices. The great bulk of claims for all types of social security benefits are now made through the post and with the wide range and complexity of work they entail, it is essential to concentrate it into larger units, in order that the Ministry can continue to give a prompt and efficient service. This backroom work is expected eventually to be concentrated into some 400–450 offices.
At these offices it will also, of course, be possible for people to call and make their claims and inquiries in person. In addition I envisage a supporting network of some 700 offices providing similar facilities for callers, of which about half, on present expectations, are likely to be open full-time and the remainder on one or more days a week according to need. The final network, accordingly, may be expected to provide full-time facilities at some 750–800 offices for people making either contributory or supplementary benefit claims and inquiries in person. This compares with the situation in June, 1966, before the merger of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and the National Assistance Board when full-time caller facilities were available in 860 places but for National Insurance purposes only; in 432 places for National Assistance purposes only; and in only 3 offices for both purposes. The 350 part-time public caller offices now visualised compare with 91 such offices in June 1966 for National Insurance purposes only; 75 for National 274W Assistance purposes only; and 78 for both purposes.
Before any change affecting an existing local office is made the local advisory committee in the area will, of course, be consulted. Hon. Members and local authorities for the constituencies concerned, will be informed of our proposals at the same time.