§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each Benefits Agency office that processes claims for invalidity benefit from persons resident in Pendle.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 28 June 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking if he will list each Benefit Agency Office within Pendle that 485W processes claims for Invalidity Benefit from persons resident in Pendle.
The area of Pendle is dealt with by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale District. Within the District there are two offices, Burnley District Office which processes Invalidity Benefit claims from persons resident in Pendle and Rossendale Benefit Office which is a "caller office" providing advice and information only to the public.
The District covers not just Pendle itself but all the following areas. Padiham, Hapton, Nelson, Colne, Earby, Foulridge, Barnoldswick, Trawden, Briarfield, Barrowford, Whitworth, Bacup, Stacksteads, Haslingdon, Helmshaw, Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Edenfield and Crawshawbooth.
Statistical information is maintained for the District as a whole and is not available for individual areas.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.