§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons will be affected by his plans to pay pensions by credit transfer methods; what gains he anticipates because of the change; and what right of appeal pensioners and other beneficiaries will have if the changeover adversely affects their collection of benefits.
§ Dr. BoysonPayment by credit transfer will be available as a method of payment to about 17 million recipients of retirement and widows pensions, mobility allowance, child benefit, war pensions and attendance allowance.
Payment by credit transfer is more secure and less expensive than payment by the traditional methods of order book, girocheque or payable order. The administrative savings which will accrue from the operation of this new method will depend on the number of beneficiaries who choose to have their benefit credited direct to their bank or building society account.
Payment by credit transfer is entirely voluntary and a beneficiary who chooses this method of payment may switch to one of the other methods of payment at any time. Rights of appeal on the collection of benefits are therefore unnecessary.