§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time which elapses between a request for a home visit from a claimant and the visit being implemented.
§ Mr. DeakinsI regret that the information requested about the average time taken to comply with a request for a home visit is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost, but my hon. Friend may like to know that we estimate, on the basis of a sample, that during 1976 about 80 per cent of all claims were cleared, by visit, postal inquiry or office interview, within five working days, and 93 per cent. within 10 working days.