§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to issue the new pension order book for which Mrs. Helen Mullen of 18 Baldovie Terrace, Dundee, has been waiting since 20 July.
§ Mr. RossiThe award of retirement pension is now being processed for payment by computer-produced order book, which will be exchanged for the order book now held by Mrs. Mullen, within the next two weeks.
Because of a national insurance contribution deficiency, retirement pension was awarded to Mrs. Mullen at only 37 per cent. of the standard basic rate, plus some additional graduated benefit.
About the middle of 1981, Mrs. Mullen questioned the rate in payment, and after protracted inquiries, the record of contributions was improved and the pension award reviewed to give her 54 per cent. of the standard basic rate, plus graduated benefit.
Although there has been delay in providing an order book at the revised rate, arrears of pension amounting to £465 were paid by Girocheque on 22 September 1982; since then the order book at the former rate which Mrs. Mullen holds has been supplemented by weekly Girocheque payments to make up the difference between the 37 per cent. and the 54 per cent. now payable.