§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cause of the pre-Christmas computer error which delayed automatic renewal of 42,000 pension books; how many staff, departmental and consultancy, were employed, for how long and at what cost, to send out substitute giros; and what has been the cost of overpayment as a result of the error.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardIssue to the Post Office of some 4,300 pension books, not 42,000 was delayed by a recent change to the income support computer system. Immediate action was taken to ensure that all affected beneficiaries received payments before Christmas. A total of 112 man days' effort was spent in preparing interim payments, at a cost of approximately £7,000.
The cost of any duplicate payments is not yet known, but is not expected to be significant. We have taken action to ensure that there will be no recurrence of this incident.