§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions have been given to the Post Office about the payment of pensions in the absence of new pension books due to industrial action; and why pensioners are being allowed to collect only one week's pension by showing an old book, although they are entitled to more.
§ Mr. O'MalleyIt has been agreed with the Post Office that it will pay pensioners who have not received a new pension book and will stamp the cover of the old book as each payment is made. To keep the arrangements as simple as possible, and to reduce the risk of mistakes and confusion, the Post Office will make only one payment in each calendar week; hence pensioners were asked to draw their pension weekly in the recent Press advertisement about payment of pensions. Those who have not in fact done so are advised when they ask for payment at the Post Office to apply to the local social security office, which will pay the full amount due. If the hon. Member has a particular case of difficulty in mind I shall be glad to look into it.