HC Deb 10 May 1995 vol 259 c497W
Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he estimates in current cost terms will be the annual cost of administering and maintaining the benefit payment card system when fully operational. [23008]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The estimated gross running costs in the feasibility study were £77 million per annum before offsetting savings from phasing out the current system. Competitive proposals, including running costs, are now being sought from five potential prime contractors.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit payment cards he estimates will have to be issued if all benefit payments at post offices are to be automated; and if he will list the benefits involved and his estimate of the numbers of recipients involved with each benefit. [23004]

Mr. Arbuthnot

There are currently around 19,000,000 customers who choose to be paid their benefits at post offices. All of these will receive a card and all social security benefits payable by the DSS will be involved.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to issue the first benefit payment cards; and when he expects that all benefits payable at post offices will be included in the system. [23006]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The first benefit payment cards are expected to be issued in 1996 and the whole implementation process is expected to take up to three years.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many post offices in the United Kingdom will be adopted for the use of benefit payment cards. [23005]

Mr. Arbuthnot

All post offices will be able to make benefit payments using the card.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the cost of issuing benefit payment cards to all recipients of DSS benefits receiving payment through post offices, including the costs of installing equipment in the post offices concerned. [23003]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The feasibility study estimated set up costs to be £135 million. Competitive proposals, including set up costs, are now being sought from five potential contractors.