§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given to Benefit Agency officers regarding the period of notice given to claimants when the sick note reminder form BF6OB is sent out.
§ Mr. ScottThe issue of form BF6OB is a procedural 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 Bichard to Mr. James Wallace, dated 27 July 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 what guidance is given to Benefit Agency officers regarding the period of notice given to customers when sick note reminder form BF6OB is sent out.247WGuidance to Benefit Agency staff does not specify how much notice a customer should be given about the expiry of their medical statement. Normally form BF6OB is issued whenever an order book is issued to a customer which runs on beyond the expiry date of the medical statement. Notice to customers of expiry of medical statements would normally be in the range of 1 to 20 weeks.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.