§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what compensation he proposes for savers and pensioners whose payments were delayed due to industrial action; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LawsonI have been asked to reply.
With regard to the position of savers I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett) on 25 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 304.]
In the case of pensioners the Government regret that the payment of some national insurance pensions has been delayed by operational difficulties which 428W could not be corrected immediately due to an overtime ban. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has made arrangements for beneficiaries in financial difficulties to be able to get emergency payments from local social security offices. I am glad to say that the position is rapidly returning to normal.