§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the allocation between local offices of the extra 2,000 posts agreed for supplementary benefit work in 1986, distinguishing between posts funded on a short term and on a permament basis.
§ Mr. PortilloI assume that the hon. Member is referring to an increase in the staff-in-post target of about 2,000 for the end of the year 1985–86. This addition was made at a time when many local offices were in excess of the complement. Some were permitted to retain excess staff and others to increase staffing levels. I regret that since such decisions were made locally, I am unable to provide the hon. Member with the details of the allocation which he seeks.