§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many customers were receiving(a) child benefit and (b) pension payments by either bank transfer or order book payments in each of the last four years.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of child benefit and pensions is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 27 April 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of customers in receipt of Child Benefit and Pension being paid by order book and automated credit transfer.I have provided the figures that you require in the attached appendix.I hope you find my reply helpful.285W
Child Benefit Year Total Order book Act 1990 6,642,950 5,345,675 1,297,275 1991 6,741,925 5,335,100 1,406,825 1992 6,801,475 5,296,050 1,505,425 1993 6,833,825 5,239,225 1,594,600
Retirement pension and widow's pension Year Total Order book Act 1Others 1990 8,744,048 6,445,754 1,981,646 316,648 1991 8,906,018 6,463,075 2,160,017 283,726 1992 9,191,326 6,433,787 2,392,292 365,247 1993 9,882,576 6,386,962 2,670,937 824,917 1 Others include those cases where payments are made by hospital schedule, 13 weekly payments, and annual payments by payable order.