§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) recorded incidence of verbal abuse there were in Benefits Agency offices in each of the last 10 years. [42531]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 12 March 2002]: The available information on the number of incidents of verbal abuse occurring in Benefits Agency offices is in the table.
Incidents of verbal abuse in Benefits Agency offices Number of incidents 1999 1,624 2000 2,414 2001 2,379 During this period there have been no deaths reported. For information on the number of assaults in Benefits Agency offices I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1118W. Information is not available on the seriousness of any injuries received and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.