§ Mr. Higginsasked the Paymaster General how many weeks it took to present to the banks cheques sent to him by pensioners making repayment of emergency payment of pension made to them during the Civil Service strike; whether he sought such repayment before the Department of Health and Social Security was in a position to process them; and whether any such repayments have still not been processed.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe average number of weeks taken to present repayment cheques was eight. Cheques are still186W being received and are now being presented to the banks within two days of receipt at my office. The Department of Health and Social Security has not been involved in the processing of any of these repayments.