§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average length of time it took to hear supplementary benefit claimants' appeals in Birkenhead in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 and at the latest available date.
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§ Mr. WhitneyPrecise information is not available because of the effects of current industrial action within the Department. It is estimated that the present waiting time for supplementary benefit appeals in the Birkenhead area is about 10 weeks. Times for previous years, recently estimated, are as follows:
Weeks 1980 4.1 1981 7.8 1982 8.9 1983 13.9