HC Deb 28 February 1984 vol 55 cc156-7W
43. Mr. Fatchett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many full-time equivalent staff of his Department there were per claimant in the Leeds metropolitan district council area in May 1979 and at the latest available date.

Dr. Boyson

The number of staff allocated to the six offices serving the Leeds metropolitan council area (Leeds north, north-west, south and west ILOs; Leeds, south-East, AO and Leeds, central, NIO) was 825 on 1 May 1979 and 790 on 1 February 1984. The number of claimants was:

15 May 1979 14 February 1984
Supplementary Benefit (cases in action) 46,858 68,107
Contributory Benefits (Claims received during previous 4 weeks) 13,859 4,284

The work involved in dealing with benefit claims is not a simple function of the number of claimants or claims, but takes account of the type and duration of claims and of efficiency in dealing with them. I draw the hon. Member's attention to the Department's guide to the complementing system, a copy of which is in the Library.