asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many computer terminals will be available to claimants at the Archway, Wood Green and Tottenham local offices of his Department in order to check their entitlement to benefits; how many terminals will be so available nationally; and what is the expected throughput time for a complete check on an individual's eligibility for benefit.
A microcomputer system to allow the public to check entitlement to non-contributory benefits is currently being developed by the Department in association with Surrey university and the applied psychology unit, Cambridge. Trials of the system's effectiveness and public reaction to it will be undertaken later this year before final decisions are reached on making it more widely available.Current estimates suggest it might take a member of the public about half an hour to check his or her entitlement in full.