§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken by social fund officers to reach a decision on crisis or budgeting786W loans or community care grants (a) nationally, (b) in the northern region, (c) in south Tyneside, (d) in Gateshead, (e) in Newcastle, (f) in Sunderland and (g) in north Tyneside, respectively.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information available is shown in the table.
Average clearance time (in whole working days) Crisis Loans Budgeting Loans Community Care Grants National 1 7 7 North Eastern Region 1 6 7 North Tyneside Gateshead 1 5 3 Newcastle St. James 1 2 3 Newcastle East 1 2 5 Newcastle West 1 2 3 Wallsend 1 5 5 South Tyneside Houghton le Spring 1 2 3 Jarrow 1 6 7 North Shields 1 13 2 South Shields 1 11 11 Sunderland North 1 8 10 Sunderland South 2 11 10 All figures are provisional and subject to amendment.