§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average lapse of time between applications being made for family credit and the determination thereof.
§ Mr. ScottJust under 23 working days in respect of all cases cleared during November. Of this, less than seven working days was for work within the family credit branch. The other 16 days were taken up by waiting for responses to inquiries.
§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local offices of the Department of Social Security have no staff or officials trained to answer questions from applicants for family credit; and if he will make it his intention to ensure that there is at least one in each local office.
§ Mr. ScottAll local offices have staff trained to answer inquiries about social security benefits, including family credit.