HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc184-5W
Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on progress in respect of the Pathway Project. [52110]

Mr. Denham

At present 204 post offices in the North-East and South-West of England have been automated and are paying Child Benefit by Payment Card as part of a limited trial.

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many post offices in Scotland are to be automated for the purpose of social security benefit payments by swipecard under ICL/Pathway; and how many of these post offices have so far been automated. [53116]

Mr. Denham

The project provides for automation of benefit payments by payment card at every post office in the United Kingdom. At present 204 post offices have been automated, none of which is in Scotland.

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will(a) provide compensation and (b) take legal action against ICL with reference to delays in implementing the project to automate social security benefit payments through post offices. [53125]

Mr. Denham

The Benefits Agency, Post Office Counters Ltd. and ICL Pathway continue to work together to plan the next stages of the programme to automate benefit payments at post offices. Commercial and contractual considerations remain confidential to the parties.