§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the aggregate of outstanding refunds in respect of overpaid contributions for retirement pension on 1st January 1977.
§ Mr. OrmeAn estimate of the amount outstanding at 1st January 1977 by way of refunds of overpaid national insurance contributions for the tax year 1975–76 is approximately £2 million.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services since the introduction of the revised national insurance scheme, what is the average waiting period for refund.
§ Mr. OrmeRefunds fall into two categories: refunds of excess Class 1 and140W Class 2 contributions, dealt with entirely at Newcastle, and refunds of erroneous contributions which have to be referred to local offices for investigation. Once the details of the overpayment are identified (and this can only be when contribution details are received from the employers involved) and a formal application form completed, the average time to process such applications is two to three weeks and nine to 10 weeks respectively.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had regarding interest on non-payment of contributions under the revised national insurance scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeNone: there is no provision under the Social Security Acts for interest to be charged on late-paid contributions.