§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the sixth annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe report is being published today. As last year, it finds considerable variation in standards of adjudication both in the Department of Social Security and the Employment Service, and makes a number of comments and recommendations for improvements. These are being considered, and will be the subject of a formal response in due course.
As the report recognises, the organisational changes currently being undertaken in conjuction with the inauguration of the Benefits Agency next month provide an opportunity to consider the scope for improving adjudication standards through greater specialisation in this work at the level of the new district offices. Although it makes no specific recommendation in this respect, I am arranging for the report's comments to be drawn to the attention of the agency's chief executive.