§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many times his Department has given assurances in letters and questions to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw that Girocheques to Worksop beneficiaries would be delivered on time.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkAs the hon. Member is aware, this Department has not given any assurances about delivery on specific days. Every effort is made to achieve delivery on the second day after signing, but this cannot be guaranteed.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Employment why 306 families in Worksop received their Girocheques delivered late on 20 November.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI understand that the mail bag containing girocheques for approximately 300 people in Worksop was misrouted in transit with the result that it did not arrive in Worksop in time for delivery on Saturday 19 November. This is a matter for the Post Office.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether, in view of the inconsistent delivery of Girocheques to Worksop, he will allow payment to be made over the counter during the Christmas period;
(2) if, in view of the continued difficulties for families in Worksop due to the late arrival of Girocheques from Reading, he will take urgent steps to ensure that such cheques are despatched on the Thursday of each week.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkPayments are made over the counter only to people with special personal circumstances. During the Christmas period, when post is subject to delay, special arrangements are made, following consultation with the Post Office to revise procedures for the despatch of cheques from the DHSS computer centre at Reading. This is done in a way which minimises the likelihood of delay due to the volume of Christmas post. The Post Office will, however, be using Datapost for some Worksop post over the Christmas period.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the fact that Girocheques sent to Harworth Bassetlaw from the northern computer arrive on time, he will now transfer all Girocheques deliveries to the neighbouring town of Worksop from Reading to the northern computer.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkInquiries show that difficulties in delivery dates for Girocheques relate to error or oversight on the part of the Post Office, rather than to the office of origin of the cheques themselves.