§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Government intend to pay interest on pensions withheld or delayed for technical or industrial reasons.
§ Mr. PrenticeI assume my hon. Friend has in mind the recent difficulties at the Department's central office at Newcastle. Where, as a result, the payment of pensions has been delayed, pensioners have been able to have their pensions paid by Girocheque from the Department's local offices. It is not the intention to pay any interest for these delays.