HC Deb 12 March 1985 vol 75 cc113-4W
56. Mr. Loyden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the staffing at local offices of his Department in order to speed up the processing of clients' claims.

Mr. Whitney

The departmental local office complementing system — a guide to which is in the Library—provides for the determination of local office complements. The number of staff needed to do the work required is calculated and allocated on the basis of comprehensive and detailed statistical analyses and forecasts of the work load. One of the elements of the system is a quarterly review of staffing levels, designed to maintain the match between the number of staff and the work load.