HL Deb 23 October 2000 vol 618 c4

2.42 p.m.

Baroness Trumpington asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the arrangements in place to ensure that people who change their surnames are able to receive benefits to which they are entitled.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)

Yes, my Lords. When a change of name is reported, there should not be any problem with current or future claims to benefit. As today is the noble Baroness's 75th birthday, I congratulate her on her eligibility for a new benefit—a free television licence.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her help over the matter that I want to raise. She has got my birthday wrong—I am 78.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

My Lords, the noble Baroness could have fooled the House.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I was turned down when I applied for a free television licence because the name on my national insurance card is different from the name that I now bear. Is the Minister aware that the BBC telephoned me to say that it had overlooked your Lordships' House in its calculations? Will other old Lords and Baronesses be able to benefit without the serious difficulties that I encountered?

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

My Lords, I am not aware of other cases. We have notified your Lordships. I understand that the problem with the noble Baroness's application was not so much the difference between her pre-peerage name and her post-peerage name—after all, the national insurance number remains continuous—but the fact that her forms were filled in inconsistently with other forms, which may have confused the computer. Many of us might think that confusing the computer was an entirely honourable activity, but it tends to delay proceedings somewhat on occasions. I understand that the situation has now been resolved and I wish the noble Baroness every enjoyment of her television.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the Minister was extremely helpful to me. I did not fill in the form wrongly. She has not been given the correct information.