§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many giro payments of income support are reported missing in each year; what percentage of total giro payment this is; and how many giros remain missing without being cashed.
§ Mr. BurtThe payment of income support by girocheque 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.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Fraser, dated 10 February 1994: 501W
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about payments of Income Support made by girocheque.Payments of Income Support are frequently combined with payments of other benefits therefore it is not possible to identify the number of payments made by girocheque that are for income support alone.However, figures relating to the issue and losses of all girocheques issued by the Benefits Agency are available and are detailed below.
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 Issues millions 30.844 34.484 34.470 36.190 27.863 Losses 84,901 89,176 83,849 86,004 135,546 Losses (Per cent.) 0.275 0.259 0.243 0.283 0.490 No missing/ not cashed or traced 6,100 3,855 9,290 12,078 36,641 The Employment Service acts as our agent in the provision of girocheques to those who are unemployed and claiming Income Support; the above figures relate only to girocheques issued by the Benefits Agency.I hope that you find this reply helpful.