§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many post offices have been distributed with new order book covers in the light of the dispute involving computer staff of his Department; and how many computer tapes covering automatic credit transfers have been run since the commencement of the dispute of the Newcastle computer centre.
§ Mr. NewtonThe distribution of new order book covers showing the new benefit rates in respect of the 7 million retirement pensioners and over 3 million recipients of child benefits to all post offices has been completed. The remaining child benefit recipients have already received order books showing the new rates. The normal arrangements for payment to pensioners by credit transfer resumed on 23 November and payment of the new benefit rates will be included with the appropriate regular payment. The arrangements for payment of child benefit by credit transfer have continued to operate throughout the dispute.