§ 12. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether arrangements are being made in Northern Ireland to introduce the payment of unemployment benefit by post.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeYes, Sir. It is planned to make all payments by post from the week beginning 2nd April.
§ Mr. MadelI am grateful for the Minister's reply. Will he tell the House how this new practice compares with the situation in the rest of the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI understand, Sir, that in Great Britain there are only pilot schemes in some offices. If that is correct, as I believe it to be, Northern Ireland in this respect is ahead of other parts of the United Kingdom.