HC Deb 12 February 1976 vol 905 cc330-1W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the role of the supplementary benefit special welfare officers; and how many special officers have been employed each year since 1966.

Mr. O'Malley

Their role is to under take special visiting in cases which have been identified as requiring more attention than can be given by local offices.

The number of special welfare officers employed at 1st January in each year since 1970 is as follows:

1970 38
1971 45
1972 45
1973 44
1974 47
1975 48
1976 55

I regret that this information for earlier years is not available.