§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in which areas his Department has employed the services of market researchers to canvass pensioners over their preferred method for receiving payment of their state pension;
(2) if his Department employs the services of market researchers to canvass pensioners over their preferred method for receiving payment of their state pensions in (a)urban areas and (b)rural areas.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department has recently employed market researchers to conduct a survey of preferred methods for receiving payment of state benefits. It was conducted amongst a nationally representative sample of pensioners, people coming up to retirement and people receiving child benefit.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the payment of state pensions through post offices and sub-post offices.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have received no recent representations.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy on payment methods of state pensions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department's policy is to provide state retirement pensioners with the option of payment either by order book encashable at a post office or by automated credit transfer direct to a bank or building society account.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance his Department has issued to pensioners who receive a state pension about methods of receiving that benefit.
§ Miss WiddecombeInformation about different methods of receiving retirement pension is contained in the pension claim form. In addition, in 1988, personal letters were sent to state retirement pensioners reminding them of the facility to receive their pension by automated credit transfer to a bank or building society account.