§ 81. Mr. BoatengTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average interval between redecorations in his Department's local offices; what plans he has to provide play facilities for claimants with young children and to reduce smoking in the public waiting areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottRedecorations of local offices are scheduled for every six years, with shorter intervals for offices in more dirty environments or for parts of offices affected by heavy usage, for example public waiting areas. No information is held centrally on the actual interval between redecorations in individual offices. Play facilities are not normally provided unless there is a particular local need. Smoking in local offices, including within the public waiting area, is currently being reviewed by a joint working party with the trade unions.