HC Deb 11 May 1993 vol 224 cc444-5W
Ms Janet Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list, by parliamentary constituency, the number of recipients of pensions and benefits paid through a(a) sub-post offices, (b) main post offices and (c) automatic credit transfer;

(2) what discussions he has had with representatives of banks and building societies about the transfer of benefits and pensions payments to automatic credit transfer; and if he will make a statement;

(3) how much his Department has budgeted during 1993–94 for research, piloting, changes to form design and to leaflets, and to other information available from the Benefits Agency seeking to persuade recipients of pensions and benefits to switch to payment by automatic credit transfer; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what discussions he has had with (a) Post Office Counters Ltd. and (b) trade unions representing post office workers about the transfer of benefits and pensions payments to automtic credit transfer; and if he will make a statement;

(5) pursuant to his answer of 26 April, Official Report, column 313, on payment of benefits by automated credit transfer, whether he has estimated how many of the pension and benefit recipients currently paid through sub and main post offices hold bank or building society accounts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the uprating statement on 12 November proposals to extend the payment of benefits by automated credit transfer (ACT). Budgets for 1993–94 include £3.5 million to encourage existing customers to select payment by ACT. In 1991 it was estimated that of those paid through the Post Office, 65 per cent. held bank or building society accounts. Details, by parliamentary constituency, of the number of recipients of pensions and benefits paid through sub-post offices, main post offices and ACT are not available.

Officials have held discussions with representatives of banks and building societies regarding technical matters arising from the extension of ACT to other benefits, as announced in the citizens charter. Post Office Counters Ltd. was aware of our proposals to encourage the use of ACT. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has not met representatives of POCL or of post office workers, but he would consider positively any request for such a meeting.