§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department's Manchester offices are currently able to process applications for assistance within 14 days; what representations he has received relating to delays in processing applications; if he has any plans to seek to change the obligation to process applications within 14 days; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MajorGenerally the Department's Manchester offices process claims for benefit within 14 days of their being referred to an adjudication officer. The exception at the moment is claims for single payments, which can be subject to delays. The offices have received a substantial rise in the number of such claims as a result of recent "take up" campaigns in the area.
172Wfatal accidents and serious injuries, separately, for each of the last 10 years, in respect of (a) boxing, (b) rugby, (c) football, (d) motor racing and (e) horse racing.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe table shows the number of occasions in the last 10 years when, on a death certificate, the stated categories of sporting activity have been mentioned. The figures prior to 1982 are not strictly comparable with later years. It is regretted that no information is available centrally about non-fatal serious injuries.
I shall be replying in detail, in the next few days, to the five specific cases raised with my by the right hon. Member. No other specific representations have been made to me.
Current regulations provide that, so far as practicable, claims should be decided within 14 days of their reference to an adjudication officer. There are no plans to change this.