§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the delays in issuing pension books; and when a constituent of the hon. Member for Windsor and Maidenhead, about whom he has written to the Department, can expect to receive her book.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI regret that the issue of retirement pension order books has been subject to some delay because of a combination of operational factors arising from the effect of a recent overtime ban in the Civil Service, a change to a new computer system at the Department's Newcastle central office and postal delays. Everything possible is being done to correct the situation and I am glad to say that there is now very little delay in the production of pension order books. They are, however, still subject to postal delays, which show marked regional variations. A pensioner who is in difficulty because of these delays should contact his local social security office. In the case of the constituent referred to by my hon. Friend, arrangements have been made to pay her pension by Girocheque from her local social security office until such time as she receives her new pension book. A reply to my hon. Friend's letter will be sent as soon as possible.