§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of sending Department of Health and Social Security form BR 2196 relating to payment of pensions to bank accounts direct to every pensioner; and if he will now send another direct 83W letter to pensioners incorporating a clear statement of all additional benefits, whether advertised or not, to which pensioners may be entitled.
§ Dr. BoysonThe estimated cost of the BR 2196 invitation exercise is expected to be of the order of £1 million. The savings likely to be achieved from operating the new method of payment are expected to be significantly in excess of that. The other benefits available to pensioners are already widely publicised and we have no plans to send another direct letter to pensioners at the present time.