§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the social security uprating has been affected by the dispute at his Department's Newcastle central office; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerI am glad to report that, despite this deplorable strike, Newcastle central office has successfully completed the issue of 7 million new front covers for pension books, and has also issued either order books containing the new rates or new front covers to all recipients of child benefit paid by order book. Arrangements have also been made for the new rates to be paid to beneficiaries paid by automated credit transfer and, where appropriate, to pensioners living overseas. Together with the work carried out by DHSS local offices and North Fylde central office to uprate supplementary pensions and other benefits including war pensions, mobility allowance and attendance allowance, this means that virtually all social security beneficiaries are receiving their uprated increase on time, and will receive as planned any Christmas bonus to which they are entitled.
This performance in delivering the uprating compares well with previous years. To have carried out this uprating in addition to the ongoing work of the Department represents a tremendous achievement by our staff working at Newcastle central office, at North Fylde and in DHSS local offices throughout the country. I should like to pay tribute to them for their efforts and dedication. We are grateful also to the post offices and sub-post offices which have helped us with the emergency arrangements.
So far as the Newcastle dispute itself is concerned, I am pleased to say that the members of two of three unions involved have returned to work today. I would once again urge those members of the CPSA who are still on strike to reconsider their position on the fair and reasonable offer we have made.