§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many claimants were the responsibility of the Harlesden office of his Department as at May 1979, December 1984 and the latest available date; and how many staff there were in the office for the same period;
(2) how many claimants were the responsibility of the Neasden office of his Department as at May 1979, December 1984 and the latest available date; and how many staff there were in the office for the same periods;
235W(3) how many claimants were the responsibility of the Cricklewood office of his Department as at May 1979, December 1984 and the latest available date; and how many staff there were in the office for the same period.
December 1984 December 1985 Harlesden Neasden Cricklewood Harlesden Neasden Cricklewood Number of supplementary benefit claimants 10,722 10,819 8,326 11,536 12,237 8,999 Number of short-term benefit claimants 1,478 1,892 960 1,766 1,988 1,067 Total staff in post 133.5 149.5 100.5 135 146.5 95.5 Short-term benefits include sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, maternity allowance and combined sickness/ supplementary benefit. Other benefits are administered centrally.