§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of each payment of paying benefit by (a) cheque, (b) order book and (c) credit transfer.
§ Dr. BoysonThe average cost of each payment by girocheque prepared at a local social security office is £1 for payment of supplementary benefit and £1.40 for payment of a contributory benefit. The cost of a payment by order book varies from 20p to 50p, depending on whether the book is produced manually or by computer, and on the number of orders included. The average cost of payment by credit transfer is 60p. It must be remembered that order book payments are made weekly; those made by credit transfer cover four or 13 weeks benefit.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases per year his Department pays benefit by credit transfer direct to a bank or building society account.
§ Dr. BoysonAbout 550,000 retirement pensioners and widows and 800 recipients of mobility allowances were being paid by credit transfer direct to a bank or building society account at 30 September 1983.