§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the administrative arrangements for paying pension increases on 22nd July; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleI am in general satisfied with the administrative arrangements for paying these increases, although, as I have already told the House, the timetable is a tight one and some of the increases may have to be paid in arrears. The associations representing the staff involved in the uprating of these benefits have asked for certain special incentives in this connection and in the meantime have instituted a ban on overtime. I hope very much that these difficulties will soon be resolved.