§ Mrs. McAliskeyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many supplementary benefit visitors in Northern Ireland are refusing to visit applicants in their homes for the purpose of assessing exceptional needs claims, and in what areas.
§ Mr. David HowellNone at present. From time to time circumstances arise which may make it necessary temporarily to suspend visiting in an area. The decision is made by the local management in consultation with the staff.
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§ Mrs. McAliskeyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unemployment benefit inspectors are refusing to enter certain areas for the purpose of investigating abuses of benefit, for example by persons claiming unemployment benefit while working ; and what areas are involved.
§ Mr. David HowellNone at present. From time to time circumstances arise which may make it necessary temporarily to suspend visiting in an area. The decision is made by the local management in consultation with the staff.
§ Mrs. McAliskeyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider transferring employees from the unemployment benefit branch of the Ministry of Health and Social Services to the supplementary benefits branch in areas which supplementary benefit visitors are refusing to enter.
§ Mr. David HowellVisiting by unemployment benefit inspectors or supplementary benefit visitors may be temporarily suspended in any area. To transfer staff from one of these categories to the other would not affect the decision of local branches whether to suspend visiting.