§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are to be made for liaison between the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit, the local authorities and local offices of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 9 May 1988]: These details continue to be discussed between the Department and representatives of the local authorities associations.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether claimants will be able to make representations(a) direct to the proposed special unit of his Department or (b) to local offices of his Department if they are dissatisfied with the amount of housing benefit during the transitional arrangements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 9 May 1988]: Although there will be no formal appeal mechanism built into the transitional payment scheme the Department will ensure that when queries about entitlement arise cases are looked at again by staff within the unit.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many staff will be involved in the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 9 May 1988]: The number of staff required will be decided in the light of claims received.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services who will be heading the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit; and what will be his grading for salary purposes and his location.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 9 May 1988]: The grade 6 manager of the transitional payments unit in Glasgow will be Mr. David Bradbury.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to make an oral statement in the House when he has reached a decision on the setting up of the proposed special unit of his Department that will be dealing with the transitional arrangements for housing benefit.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 9 May 1988]: No. Announcements will continue to be made in the normal way.