§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what payments of benefits by his Department now take place fortnightly; and if there has been any consequential reduction in the number of civil servants employed by his Department.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFor over 20 years some payments of sickness, injury and invalidity benefit have been made fortnightly, but information is not available on any staff savings that may have resulted from the change. Since September 1979 payment of unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit to the unemployed has generally been made fortnightly by the Department of Employment, which administers benefit for the unemployed on behalf of this Department. It is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to say what savings have resulted from this change.