§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding the continuing delays in supply of child benefit order books from his office in Washington, County Durham.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe issue of child benefit order books was suspended because of unofficial industrial action at the child benefit centre between 28 March and 1 May. Both evening and weekend over-time is now being worked to get back to normal as quickly as possible, and arrangments have been made for payments of child benefit to be made to mothers who are without their order book. Post Offices are making payments to mothers whose renewal order book has not arived at the post office, and the Department's local offices are making emergency payments to those who are214W Without their order book for other reasons and who are in urgent need.