HC Deb 28 April 1994 vol 242 cc284-5W
Mr. Cousins

To 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. Burt

The 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.

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.