§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he(a) decided on and (b) announced the proposal to close the local benefits offices in the Vale of White Horse District Council area. [60176]
§ Angela EagleThe Benefits Agency's Abingdon office closed on 25 October 1996 along with the Wantage caller outlet which was housed in the local Council Offices.
The decision to close the offices was made by the previous Government in September 1996 and announced to Members of Parliament and other interested parties by the then Under-Secretary of State for Social Security on 2 October 1996.