§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what, on average, is the waiting time by region for a claimant reporting a payment lost or stolen to be informed of the outcome of inquiries.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the period laid down in his Department's guidelines for dealing with a claimant who reports that a payment is lost or stolen and the claimant being told of the result in investigations; and whether he will publish the guidelines in theOfficial Report.
§ Mr. PortilloThe administrative procedures followed when a claimant reports a loss of benefit vary according to the benefit concerned, the method of payment and the circumstances of the loss.