§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representation he has received about staffing levels at his Department's local social security offices.
§ Mr. NewtonThe matter was mentioned to me by a number of staff at the Battersea office during my visit there on Wednesday 17 November, and I was handed a letter by the CPSA sub-branch secretary. It has also been referred to in the course of other visits I have paid to the Department's offices in recent weeks. We have also had some representations from MPs and others; and378W discussions about staffing levels have formed part of the negotiations with the Civil Service trade unions in relation to the current dispute affecting certain DHSS local offices.