§ Mr. BoothTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy in respect of the automated payment of benefits.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotOur preferred method of payment is by automated credit transfer directly into bank or building society accounts. However, we recognise that many people prefer to collect their benefit at post office's, and in May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced our intention to automate the process by which benefits are delivered at post office counters. This is good news for customers, good news for taxpayers and good news for post offices.