§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contingency plans are being made during the duration of the strike at his Department's computer centre at Newcastle for those claimants whose payments are made direct to them by payable order.
. BoysonBecause of strike action by some computer staff at our Newcastle central office payable orders are not being issued to pensioners normally paid by that method. The pensioners affected can obtain payment of their pension by contacting their local social security office on or after the date on which their payment is due. They are asked to take with them the tear-off portion of the last payable order received, if they have it.
These emergency arrangements were announced in the national press when the strike began. We are repeating the press advertisements as the strike continues.