§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the evidence given by the chief executive of the benefits agency of the Department of Social Security to the House of Commons Social Security Select Committee to the effect that performance levels of social security benefit offices are being affected by the rising level of unemployment was correctly reported (Independent, 26th June, 1991): if so, whether they accept that evidence and, if so, what remedial action they are contemplating.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Henley)The minutes of evidence of the Select Committee hearing have not yet been published, but I understand from the chief executive that the Press report summarised his evidence that the rising level of unemployment was increasing the workload in social security benefit offices and putting the staff under more pressure. Chief executives are principally responsible for managing their agencies by deploying available resources to ensure that they achieve their targets.