HC Deb 26 October 1987 vol 121 cc177-8W
Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many staff are currently employed in the local offices of his Department in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Strathclyde region and (d) Greenock and Port Glasgow: and how many staff in each of these are planned for 1987–88 and 1988–89.

Mr. Portillo

The latest comprehensive information on the number of staff in post in local offices of the Department relates to 1 October 1987 and is as follows:

Number
(a) England and Wales 62,471.5
(b) Scotland 8,270.5
(c) Strathclyde Region 4,622.0
(d) Greenock ILO 176.5
Port Glasgow ILO 81.5

The number of staff planned for the end of 1987–88 takes account of workload reductions and is as follows:

Number
(a) England and Wales 60,884
(b) Scotland 8,188
(c) Strathclyde Region 4,572
(d) Greenock ILO 174
Port Glasgow ILO 80
The number of staff planned for 1988–89 for each of these areas is not yet available

Notes: Figures exclude cleaners

ILO = Integrated Local Office

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received calling for more assistance in dealing with the work load in his Department's local offices; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

A provisional claim for more staff in local offices has been lodged by the trade unions and this is currently under consideration.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff have been employed in local offices of his Department in each year since 1979.

Mr. Portillo

The number of full-time staff equivalents in the Department's local offices on the 1 April each year was as follows:

Number
1979 65,207
1980 64,036.5
1981 66,847
1982 64,159
1983 63,650
1984 60,861
1985 63,136
1986 62,911
1987 64,888.5

Included in these totals are part-time staff but it is not possible to give a breakdown as information on part-time staff in local offices is not held centrally.