HC Deb 13 February 1970 vol 795 cc437-8W
Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many separate offices dealing direct with the public his Department has; and how many offices are shared with those of other Departments involved.

Mr. Ennals

My Department has 1,082 full-time offices dealing with the public, 481 sharing premises with other Departments. In addition, officers of my Department attend part-time at 143 offices, 98 of which are in shared premises.

Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many towns is the office of his Department dealing with supplementary benefits in separate premises from that dealing with pensions.

Mr. Ennals

There are 260 former offices of the National Assistance Board and 498 former offices of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance which have not yet been amalgamated, but they are all capable of dealing with inquiries about social security, including pensions and supplementary benefits.