§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current operation of the emergency arrangements he has introduced to assist British pensioners living overseas during the present Newcastle pensions dispute; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe shut-down of the pensions computer due to strike action by some computer staff at our Newcastle office has, since 11 May, prevented the routine issue of payable orders to over 300,000 pensioners living abroad. We greatly regret the difficulty which this is causing our pensioners overseas.
Under emergency arrangements which are in operation, manually-prepared payable orders are being sent to those pensioners who have contacted our overseas branch at Newcastle and have given details of the last payment received. About 40,000 pensioners overseas have now been identified in this way and emergency payments are being issued to them. Payments will continue to be made to them, without further application, for the duration of the strike.
High commissions and other posts abroad have been told of the position so that inquirers can be advised of the emergency arrangements. We are seeking further ways in which this advice can be disseminated as widely as possible.