HC Deb 15 July 1981 vol 8 cc397-8W
Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for social security benefit are being handled each week by his Department's office in Scunthorpe; how many staff are dealing with these claims; and what were the equivalent figures for 1979 and 1980.

Mrs. Chalker

Following is the information:

Average weekly number of new claims received Average number of staff dealing with claims
1979
Contributory benefits 597 60
Supplementary benefits 251 69
Total 848 129

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many meetings Lord Hunter had with each of the tobacco companies while he was chairman of the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health; and where those meetings took place.

Sir George Young

Lord Hunter held regular meetings with each of the tobacco companies in his capacity as chairman of the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health. Such meetings took place at the offices of the company concerned, at the offices of the Tobacco Advisory Council, or at the Department.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many invitations were received and how many accepted from the tobacco companies by Lord Hunter during his period as chairman of the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health.

Sir George Young

I understand that it was Lord Hunter's practice to decline all invitations from the tobacco companies to artistic and sporting events.

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