§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will investigate urgently reports that staff of the Child Support Agency are improperly disposing of correspondence.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
1372Wthe old mobility allowance. On the introduction of the new benefit we took the opportunity to introduce a new lower rate for each component to extend the new arrangements to people who were unable to qualify for help before. The table shows the number of awards of the different rates of each component since February 1992 when claims could first be made.
A key feature of the adjudication system for disability living allowance is self-assessment. However, a claimant can ask to be examined by an examining medical practitioner if he or she wishes. Whether an adjudication officer seeks a medical report depends on the particular circumstances of the case.
Awards of DLA by component 1 February 1992 to 30 September 1994 Component Number of awards Higher rate care 141,221 Middle rate care 147,065 Lower rate care 231,878 Higher rate mobility 375,611 Lower rate mobility 189,584 Note:
The figures are the number of components awarded and include top-up claims. Some people may receive both components
Source:
Analytical Services Division 100 per cent. count.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) reviews and (b) appeals were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful in each year since 1992–93 and the first quarter of 1994–95 for (1) care and (2) mobility components of (x) disability living allowance and (y) attendance allowance.
§ Mr. Hague[holding answer 1 November 1994]: The available information is in the table.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 3 November 1994:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the disposal of correspondence in the Child Support Agency.Stories reported in the press stem from the fact that four files were found at the bottom of the lift shaft in the Agency's centre at Dudley earlier this year. No other correspondence has been found in comparable circumstances.The Agency's regional centres will typically receive some thousands of items of post each week, every one of which is recorded by registration staff before being sent to the appropriate section for action. Any evidence of post being disposed of 1373W improperly would be fully investigated, and disciplinary action taken as appropriate in the circumstances.I hope this reply is helpful, but if you want further information I will be happy to write to you further.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many employees of the Child Support Agency have been sent on outward bound courses since the agency was established; what was the cost per employee; and what was the total cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. lain Mills, dated 3 November 1994:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of employees the Child Support Agency has sent on "outward bound" courses.No member of the Agency's staff has been sent on an outward bound course but, like the whole of the Civil Service and any large employer, the Agency does on occasion send suitable management staff on external developmental training courses—including Outward Bound Trust "City Challenge" courses. Such courses may contain an element of outdoor activity.I hope that this reply is helpful, but if you want further information, I will be happy to write to you further.
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many deductions from earnings orders were made by the Child Support Agency in the year 1993–94;. and what proportion of these were in relation to interim assessments.
§ Mr. Burt[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1994, column 616–17]: Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Child Support Agency, has written further to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jonathan Evans, dated 3 November 1994:
On 21 July, John Hughes, the Business Development Director, wrote to you in reply to PQ 2406/1993–94 which concerned the number of Deductions from Earnings Orders made by the Child Support Agency during 1993–94.Due to a typographical error, you were incorrectly advised that 2,200 such orders were issued. The correct figure is 2,600.Please accept my apologies for this error.
§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many interviews have now been carried out by each benefits agency branch office to investigate whether a person should be required to co-operate with the Child Support Agency.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jamie, Cann dated 2 November 1994:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of interviews the Child Support Agency has carried out in relation to the requirement to co-operate.Information is not available in the form you request, but I can tell you that to the end of August 1994, over 82,000 interviews had been undertaken by the Agency concerning the requirement to co-operate.I hope this reply is helpful.