§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many redundancies are expected to be created by computerisation and the consolidation of local offices into local management units.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardNo compulsory redundancies will be needed as a result of the Department's computerisation programme (the operational strategy) provided staff co-operate in implementing the necessary personnel measures to achieve staff savings. Much of the reduction in staffing will be gained by natural wastage and, where this is not the case, the needs of staff will be taken into account as far as possible.
The management of the local office network is being restructured because changes in procedures as a result of the operational strategy and the setting up of the Contributions Agency meant that the existing offices no longer formed viable management units. There are no plans to reduce the number of outlets. This restructuring will result in a modest saving at managerial level. A voluntary redundancy scheme is in place for the staff.