§ Mr. Costainasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made to enable civil servant pensioners to receive their pensions during the postal strike.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinArrangements for N.I. retirement pensioners to draw their pensions have been in force since the postal strike commenced; these also apply to public service pensions paid by order book. The majority of Civil Service pensions for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are paid by the Paymaster-General's Office; all pension vouchers due up to the first week of February have been issued to pensioners, and arrangements are in hand for ensuring that they receive vouchers due subsequently. Details will be announced shortly. The Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise Departments, who are themselves directly responsible for the payments to their pensioners, have also issued all vouchers due up to the first week in February and have measures in hand for pensioners to receive vouchers due subsequently through departmental facilities.
§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are being made for the payment of public service pensions during the continuance of the Post Office strike.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain) today. In so far as other public service pensions are paid by the Paymaster-General's office, similar arrangements will apply. If the hon. Member knows of any case in which there is hardship perhaps he would let me know.