HC Deb 23 May 1994 vol 244 cc40-1W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he has given to how long the owner of a benefits payment card which was incorrectly rejected by a machine reader would have to do without payment of benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hague

This issue will be addressed as part of the detailed design of the proposed payment system. Appropriate back-up procedures will be incorporated into any system, to be activated in the event of mechanical or electronic failure.