HC Deb 04 May 1970 vol 801 cc14-5W
68. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it took him three months to reply to a letter from the hon. Member for Goole about case No. MC 86134; and what is the usual time taken to supply details of pension qualifications.

Mr. O'Malley:

The average time taken currently to provide a full and detailed reply, which is what I am sure hon. Members expect, is five to six weeks. A simple uncomplicated case can take less than three weeks; a complicated case, requiring special inquiries can take much longer. The case my hon. Friend quotes was a complicated one involving classification for contribution liability, condi

COST OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
1951–52 1955–56 1960–61 1964–65 £million 1969–70*
England and Wales 571 836 1234 1746 3060
Scotland 72 107 154 216 350
* Provisional out-turn subject to revision.