§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what staffing level was designated for his Department's Woolwich office in the years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89; how many staff were actually in post on 1 May in each year; and what has been the alteration in work load over the same period.
§ Mr. PortilloThe information requested is as follows:
493W
Number Complement 1986–87 237 Complement 1987–88 279
Number Complement 1988–89 247 Staff in post 1 May 1986 221 Staff in post 1 May 1987 236.5 Staff in post 1 May 1988 254.5
17 December 1985 16 December 1986 17 November 1987 Supplementary benefits live load 18,315 19,136 19,028 Short-term benefits live load 1,898 2,267 2,175 Comparable figures are not available for the full range of contributory benefits. The 1987 work load figures are provisional and subject to amendment.
Direct comparisons between the numbers of staff and the live load are misleading as work loads vary considerably by type and duration of claim and the action that has to be taken. All these factors vary over time as a result of legislative, policy and procedural changes.