§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Department already uses information technology extensively to improve service to the public, to improve efficiency and to enhance the working conditions for staff, and the major programmes of information technology which are now under way will further improve the Department's operations. The computerised benefit systems being developed under the operational strategy will enable clients to obtain information regarding their claims more quickly, while computer printouts will provide clear explanations of how the benefit is calculated, and of entitlement. Progress is also being made on improving communications by upgrading the telephone systems, the widespread use of facsimile machines and the increasing use of new telecommunications devices, such as electronic mail, throughout the organisation.
Supplementary Benefit Live Load (1) 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 E 2,073 3,280 4,245 4,701 4,923 5,246 6,650 7,000 Edinburgh City ILO A 1,290 1,377 1,664 1,877 2,130 2,408 2,544 2,800 P 2,361 2,368 2,341 2,193 2,254 2,228 2,230 2,271 E 2,169 3,434 4,074 4,254 4,018 4,026 4,354 4,373 Edinburgh East ILO A 1,950 2,127 2,270 2,609 2,896 3,153 3,414 3,832 P 2,717 2,866 2,921 2,629 2,962 3,013 3,176 3,490 E 1,998 3,205 3,552 3,499 3,886 4,255 4,902 5,188 Edinburgh North ILO A 1,263 1,385 1,750 1,932 2,223 2,392 2,649 3,223 P 2,654 2,672 2,689 2,482 2,553 2,403 2,465 2,636 E 1,806 3,057 3,789 4,301 4,332 4,398 4,659 4,819 Edinburgh South ILO A 1,533 1,641 1,992 2,477 2,688 2,955 3,170 3,340