HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 cc70-1W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what progress has been made in automating Social Security benefit payments at post offices by ICL; [52384]

(2) if she will make a statement on the future of the benefit smart card scheme. [52385]

Mr. Denham

At present 204 post offices in the North-East and South-West of England have been automated and are paying Child Benefit by Payment Card as part of a limited trial.

The benefit Payment Card is a magnetic stripe card and not a smartcard. The Department of Social Security, Post Office Counters Ltd. and ICL Pathway continue to work together to plan the next stages of the project to introduce the benefit Payment Card.

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