§ Mr. Groundasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retirement pensions are not being paid as a result of the strike affecting the Department's computer at Newcastle; what is the total of the resultant arrears in payment of retirement pensions; and what steps are being taken to pay off these arrears to pensioners.
239W
§ Dr. BoysonThe emergency areangements currently operating are designed to ensure that retirement pensioners normally paid by order book or by direct credit to bank accounts continue to receive their pensions during the strike. Pensioners normally paid by payable order need to apply for payment and the situation for week-ending 15 June was:
Emergency payments made Pensioners living in Great Britain —paid 4-weekly 306,000 52,699 —paid quarterly 131,000 Pensioners living overseas —paid 4-weekly 240,000 *17,431 —paid quarterly 64,000 * Plus 12,427 further enquiries received. We have sought by press advertising and other publicity to advise the pensioners paid by payable order to approach their social security office if they live in Great Britain, or overseas branch, Newcastle if living abroad.