§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many jobs in each grade are to be transferred to Blackpool from the DSS archives at Brunswick street, nelson; and on what date this is scheduled to occur;
(2) what consultations have taken place with the relevant civil service unions concerning proposals to transfer from the Government Records Office at Brunswick street, Nelson, to Blackpool.
(3) how many and at what grade jobs are at to be transferred to Blackpool from the Records Office at Brunswick atreet, Nelson; and when this is scheduled to occur.
§ Mr. BurtThe administtration of war pensions is a matter for Mr.Micheal Bichard, the chief executive benefits Agency. He will write to the hon.member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 25 January 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the transfer of staff from DSS Archives in Nelson to Blackpool.I understand that your question refers to staff employed within the War Pensions Unit and are working in the same premises as the DSS Archives in Nelson.With a reducing number of claims and a new computer system in 1995 the War Pensions Unit is looking at its service delivery to see how work can be better processed.One option is to centralise the work currently carried out at Nelson within the War Pensions main operations centre at Norcross, Blackpool. There are currently 126 staff engaged on War Pensions duties at Nelson, but as no final conclusion has been reached as to the relocation I am not in a position to comment on the precise numbers or grades of staff which may be involved in such a move, or when such a move may take place.Full consultation has taken place with all the relevant Civil Service Unions concerning the proposals.I hope you find my reply helpful.