HC Deb 01 July 1986 vol 100 c495W
37. Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current average length of time for a decision on an application for a single payment.

Mr. Major

I regret that this information is not available. However, claims for single payments are determined as soon as possible after all the information required has been collected, urgent claims being given priority.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Department of Health and Social Security single payments were made in Lincolnshire in 1984 and 1985.

Mr. Major

Six local offices serve Lincolnshire but their boundaries are not conterminous with that of the county. The single payments they made during years ended early in April are shown in the following table:

Office 1984–85 *1985–86
Boston 2,641 3,944
Grantham 2,753 4,536
Lincoln (Newland) 4,902 6,931
Lincoln (Orchard Street) 8,944 13,254
Skegness 1,155 1,619
Grimsby 11,375 14,871
Totals 31,770 45,155
* Provisional figures.