§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next plans to visit the local offices of his Department covering the Doncaster area, to assess the effectiveness and efficiency with which these offices deal with claims.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe effectiveness and efficiency of local offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. Ministers have no plans to visit the agency's offices in the Doncaster area.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current targets for his Department's offices covering the Doncaster area for meeting(a) delivery and (b) accuracy for benefits administered.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe setting of targets for district offices is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive at the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.