§ Mr. Hugh D. Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the issue of retirement pension order books will be taken over by the new computer installation.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe first order books prepared by the new computer installation will be those with the first order cashable in the week commencing 27 July. The process of switching over completely to the new style of book will be spread over 1 year as the current books expire. The new books will normally contain orders for 13 weeks instead of 52 as hitherto.
Basing the payment of pensions on a computer will enable us to give a better service to pensioners who are paid by order books and in due course to extend the range of payment facilities we offer to meet pensioners' convenience.
Pensioners whose order books are issued from local social security offices will be getting books resembling the books produced by the computer from 18th May.
I am mounting a programme of publicity to inform pensioners and those who advise them about the change.