§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for the delays in processing applications for leaflets from the leaflets unit at Stanmore; and if any measures are being taken to improve the service.
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he intends to take to reduce the six months' waiting time for his Department to supply information leaflets which have been requested by voluntary organisations in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answers 22 and 23 February 1989]: The principal factors causing delay in the distribution of some orders from Canons Park leaflet unit are the considerably increased demand for bulk orders, and the physical constraints of the unit which preclude an immediate expansion of capacity or the recruitment of any more staff to cope with this demand. Nevertheless a special 575W priority 24-hour turn round dispatch has been agreed for all requests from citizens advice bureaux which are the major distributors of bulk quantities of leaflets outside the Department itself.
Individual copies of leaflets can be obtained from local offices of the Department or by ordering from the free telephone inquiry service, 0800 666 555.
The Department is urgently considering how best to restore the supply of leaflets to an acceptable level.