§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the effect of the two Social Security Bills at present going through Parliament on his Department's and Department of Employment staffing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe changes to the supplementary benefits scheme proposed in the Social Security (No. 1) Bill are broadly neutral in manpower terms. As a consequence of making maternity grant non-contributory, savings of about 200 staff will be made in the DHSS.
The provisions of Social Security (No. 2) Bill will require a net increase in the permanent staff of the DHSS of about 1,000 and of the Department of Employment of about 50.