§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many giro cheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years; what was the value of the stolen or missing giro cheques in cash terms and at constant prices; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Marshall, dated 18 May 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many girocheques were issued by his Department in each year since 1987; how many and what percentage were reported stolen or missing in each of those years; what was the value of the stolen or missing girocheques in cash terms and at constant prices; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures for each of his Department's offices.
The number of girocheques reported missing or stolen, after being issued by the Department of Social Security, in the years since 1987 are:
payments have so far been made by ACT; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions; what is the expected cost of the exercise; and what consultations he has had with the chief executive of the Post Office about this project.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe payment of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Peter Hain, dated 18 May 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking which geographical areas are covered by the trial currently being undertaken on payments of benefits and pensions by automated credit transfer (ACT); how many payments have so far been made by ACT; how many of these payments were for retirement pensions; what is the expected cost of the exercise; and what consultations he has had with the Chief Executive of the Post Office about this project.
Trial versions of the Retirement Pension claim form were issued between 1 and 11 March 1993. These forms were issued to people throughout the United Kingdom. The cost of the 187W claim form trial is expected to be around £22,000. No payments have been made to customers completing trial forms, as Retirement Pension claim forms are issued four months before retirement age.
Details of consultations with the Post Office are contained in the Official Report, volume 224, columns 445–446.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations underlie his policy to encourage recipients of specific benefits to receive their benefits by way of bank accounts; which benefits are involved; what steps he has taken, and at what cost, to further this policy; and what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of effects of the success of such a policy.
§ Miss WiddecombeSince automated credit transfer was introduced in 1982, our policy has always been to encourage people to take up the option of payment by this method, which is a more cost-effective, safer and easier way for them to receive their benefits.
The benefits for which ACT is currently available are:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Disability Working Allowance
- Pensions/Widows Benefit
- Child Benefit
- One Parent Benefit
- Family Credit
- War Pensions
The facility will be available to pay income support by ACT from October 1993; unemployment benefit through a rolling programme between May 1993 and October 1994; and sickness benefit, invalidity benefit and severe disablement allowance through a rolling programme between May 1993 and January 1994.
For the steps taken, and the costs incurred, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 26 April at columns 313–14.