The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Departmental Staffing Levels – 17 March 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Departmental Staffing Levels on 17th March 1986.


Sir Geoffrey Finsberg Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the level of staffing and speed of response to public inquiries at his Department’s office in Melton Street, London NW1.

Mr. Major A further 5,000 staff for DHSS local offices was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 7 March 1986. This very substantial increase, of which the Melton Street office will receive an appropriate share, will ensure adequate levels of service throughout the coming financial year.

Sir Geoffrey Finsberg Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his answer of 7 March, Official Report, column 322, how many of the extra local office staff referred to will be added to those already employed at the Melton street office NW1, and the Cricklewood office, NW2 of his Department.

Mr. Major The method of distributing the extra local office staff has still to be decided. It is not possible at this stage to say how many extra staff individual local offices will receive.