§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements exist at his Department's Archway Tower offices for making special payments after 3.30 pm on working days.
§ Mr. LyellArrangements exist at the Department's Archway Tower offices to make payments after 3.30 pm. Members of the public who request immediate financial assistance after 3.30 pm may be admitted to the offices at the discretion of the managers. An urgent counter payment can be authorised where it is clear that the claimant cannot wait until the next day for his money.
§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken since 1 May to improve the public areas of his Department's Archway Tower offices.
§ Mr. LyellThe Department has two offices located in Archway Tower-Highgate and Finsbury park local offices. In Highgate local office new floor covering has been fitted in the public areas and new seating has been installed in the supplementary benefit reception area. At the Finsbury park office an additional interviewing position has been provided in the supplementary benefits reception area.
§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken to (a) reduce asbestos, (b) repair the lifts, (c) clean the windows and (d) repair the staff door of Archway Tower since 1 May.
§ Mr. LyellThe following action has been taken:
- (a) The Property Services Agency regularly inspects all known asbestos in the building to ensure that it is
568 in a safe condition. No asbestos has been removed since 1 May 1986. - (b) The lifts are routinely serviced and, in the event of a breakdown, an engineer is normally available within the building.
- (c) External cradles have recently been commissioned and a window cleaning contract is being arranged to start in early 1987.
- (d) The staff door was replaced on 16 September 1986.