HC Deb 26 May 1993 vol 225 cc636-7W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the level of public expenditure by (a) his Department and (b) the Benefits Agency to encourage benefit claimants to have their benefits paid by automated credit transfer.

Miss Widdecombe

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 26 April at columns313–14.

Information on methods of payment of social security benefits, including ACT, is included in a number of leaflets issued by the Benefits Agency.

Recently, the Benefits Agency piloted three versions of the retirement pension claim form. The cost of this trial was estimated to be around £22,000.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each of the organisations which have written to him on the subject of automated credit transfer and the implications for the viability of sub post offices; and if he will indicate which have been (a) favourable and (b) unfavourable.

Miss Widdecombe

We have recently received a substantial number of representations about automated credit transfer, including letters from a wide variety of organisations, from right hon. and hon. Members and from a number of individuals, arguing in favour of the continuing availability of post offices for the payment of benefits. We have also received correspondence in favour of ACT being available' for a greater range of benefits.