HC Deb 07 February 1991 vol 185 cc247-8W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many items of post are outstanding presently at each of his Department's offices in the Doncaster area.

Miss Widdecombe

At Doncaster (East) office, there are 84 items of post outstanding. At Doncster (West) office, there are 4,742 items of post outstanding. Doncaster (West) is currently affected by an industrial dispute, all outstanding post is regularly examined and priority items extracted and actioned.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what change there has been in the numbers and time involved in waiting for a claim to be dealt with at his Department's offices in the Doncaster area, following the introduction of a computer system.

Miss Widdecombe

At Doncaster (East) office, retirement pension work was computerised in September 1989 and income support work in January 1990. In August 1989 there were 79 retirement pension claims outstanding, taking 14 days on average to clear. The comparative figures for December 1990 were 43 claims and nine days. In December 1989, there were 66 income support claims outstanding, taking two days on average to clear. The comparative figures for December 1990 were 76 claims and two days.

At Doncaster (West), retirement pension work was computerised in October 1989 and income support work in February 1990. In September 1989, there were 135 retirement pension claims outstanding, taking 28 days on average to clear. The comparative figures for December 1990 were 224 claims and 44 days. In December 1989 there were 261 income support claims outstanding taking Six days on average to clear. The comparative figures for December 1990 were 450 claims and nine days.

The work of Doncaster (West) office is currently affected by industrial action.