HC Deb 06 July 1989 vol 156 cc246-8W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that outstationing of Department of Social Security offices will not take place until such time as the operational strategy computer provisions have been completed.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The project to move out of 21 London offices the "backroom" work that does not need face to face contact with the public is now well advanced. We are going ahead with this initiative because of our commitment to ensuring our customers receive the highest quality service.

We are confident that the operational strategy computer systems are capable of supporting the needs of the project and of our customers.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that when outstationing of Department of Social Security offices is completed, telephone calls to the social security centres by claimants from local offices, public kiosks, and their homes, will be charged at the local rate and that the same charges will be available to advisers acting on the claimants' behalf.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Telephone calls to the social security centres made from claimants' homes and public kiosks in the London local call area will be charged at the local rate. Calls made from the telephones to be sited in the public areas of the branch offices will give direct access to the social security centre and will be free.

Advisers acting on behalf of claimants will be able to use the same facilities and, provided the call is made from within the London local call area, they will be charged at the local rate.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what facilities for people with disabilities will be provided in the new Department of Social Security branch offices to enable proper access and a comfortable wait.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Branch offices are still in the planning stage, but the aim will be to continue to improve and provide facilities for the disabled in these offices.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what undertakings have been given to local Department of Social Security staff affected by outstationing about their future employment by the Department of Social Security in the same geographical area.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Staff who work in the local offices participating in the relocation of work project have been given the following assurances:

  1. (i) there is no question of compulsory transfer to the social security centres in Glasgow, Belfast and Wigan but any member of staff who wishes to transfer may apply to do so;
  2. (ii) when transfers are necessary, staff will be expected to transfer to local, regional or headquarters offices within daily travelling distance of their home. All such transfers will be to other offices within the London pay zone, unless an individual prefers to go somewhere else;
  3. (iii) each individual member of staff will be treated on an individual basis. Cases of immobility will be dealt with first;
  4. (iv) all staff will be invited individually to nominate the offices they would wish to transfer to. Management will do everything they can to match transfers to individual preferences. Where an individual cannot be posted to an office of his or her choice in the first instance, he or she will be given top priority when vacancies occur within one of the preferred offices;
  5. (v) we do not envisage any need for compulsory transfers involving a move of home. There should be no need for redundancies.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether facilities such as a nappy-changing area and tea and coffee machine will be provided in the new Department of Social Security branch offices.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The provision of such facilities will be considered when the new branch offices are being developed. The improved service to the public they will provide is expected to reduce significantly the time customers spend in our offices. The need for such facilities will be determined in the light of experience.