§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many local DHSS offices have been closed since May 1979; and what assistance is given to indigent, invalid or elderly claimants who, as a result of closures, have to travel further.
§ Lord TrefgarneSixteen national insurance offices, which deal with claims to national insurance benefits, and 12 area offices, which deal with claims to supplementary benefit, have been closed since May 1979. Their work has been absorbed by the creation of 12 new integrated local offices, which deal with the whole range of social security benefits.
668WAIn addition, five full-time and 54 part-time caller offices, which deal in the main with general inquiries from the public, have been closed. Three of the offices previously undertaking national insurance work remain open as full-time caller offices.
The travelling expenses of the elderly, those in poor health, the disabled and those accompanied by young children can be met in full, provided that they have good reason for calling at the office.