HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc819-20W
Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will investigate why Mrs. V. Brady of 51 The Uplands, Great Haywood, Staffordshire, has not received her family credit since 24 May last; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

I will write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the number and proportion of claimants of family credit whose income is currently above(a) the national insurance threshold, and (b) the tax threshold.

Chantry Integrated Local Office, Chantry House
Grade Complement 1988–89 Permanent staff in post 1 July 1988 Temporary staff' in post 1 July 1988 Turnover
Principal 1 1 — —
Senior Executive Officer 1 1 — 1
Higher Executive Officer 8 8 — 2
Local Officer 1 51 51.5 — 4
Local Officer 2 79 89.5 — 10
Administrative Assistant 27 29.5 3 5
Typist 4 4 — 1
Messenger 3 3 — —
TOTAL 174 187.5 3 23

On 21 July 1988 there were no staff members being trained or engaged in training.

Mountergate Integrated Local Office, Baltic House
Grade Complement 1988–89 Permanent staff in post 1 July 1988 Temporary staff in post I July 1988 Turnover
Principal 1 1 — —
Senior Executive Officer 1 1 — —
Higher Executive Officer 9 9 — —
Local Officer 1 59 55.5 — 2.5
Local Officer 2 89 100 — 14
Administrative Assistant 31 31 2 6.5
Typist 4 3.5 05 —
Messenger 2 2 — —
TOTAL 196 203 2.5 23

Mr. Scott

This information is not available in respect of the people actually receiving family credit. However, on the same basis as the estimates in "Impact of the reformed structure of income-related benefits: October 1987", but using the 1988–89 thresholds, the breakdown is as follows:

Number Proportion per cent.
(a) Family credit recipients with incomes above the national insurance threshold 435,000 98
(b) Family credit recipients with incomes above the tax threshold 350,000 78

Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time between claiming family credit and a payment order book being dispatched to the claimant.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Clay) on 7 July at column725.