§ Mr. Johnson Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the position regarding arrears in payments on the new increase in retirement pensions.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have no reason to think that the normal arrangement for payment of the increase in retirement pensions with effect from week commencing 12 November will not be completed on time, and the question of payment of arrears should not arise.
I regret, however, that as a result of the late announcement of the increases this year due to the election there will be delay in paying the increases in supplementary benefit to a number of beneficiaries, including pensioners who receive payment of their retirement and supplementary pensions by means of the same order book. Every effort will be made to put these increases into payment as soon 512W as possible and arrears from week commencing 12 November will, of course, be paid.