§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of assault on his Department's local staff have been reported to him; what is the principal form such attacks take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe number of incidents reported were as follows:
59W
Number 1978 212 1979 187 1980 195 1981 192 1982 219 1983 199 1984 198 The principal forms that such incidents took in 1983, the latest year for which full details are currently available, were:
Per cent. Technical assault 31 Blow with fist 20 All other types of manual assault 42
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he has taken or what measures he proposes to take to protect his Department's local staff from assault; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyAll local office staff in the Department are advised concerning the possible risk of assault in the course of their duties. Staff who visit claimants in their homes receive advice on dealing with potentially violent situations as part of their training.
Where appropriate, protective screens are installed in public areas at the Department's local offices.
Arrangements to alert staff to situations or cases which have been identified as potentially dangerous are under review to see if they can be improved.