§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the barcode system to be installed in post offices will be able to record stolen order books; [85861]
(2) what benefits are planned to be paid through the barcode system to be used in post offices; [85877]
(3) what visible information on order books will be concealed by the barcode technology to be installed in post offices; [85858]
(4) if the barcode technology to be introduced on order books will require Post Office staff to ask a security question. [85860]
§ Angela EagleThe barcode system to be installed in post offices will be able to record stolen order books. System-produced order books for the following benefits include a barcode and will therefore be controlled through the use of the Order Book Control System (OBCS) installed in post offices:
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- Attendance Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Disability Working Allowance
- Earnings Top Up
- Family Credit
- Guardians Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support Retirement Pension
- War Pensions Widows Benefit.
No visible information on order books in concealed by barcode technology. Order books continue to include a customer's name, address and National Insurance number. The purpose of the barcode is to hold information which uniquely identifies each order book.
There are no plans for Post Office staff to be required to ask a security question, and the information contained within the barcode would not support any such proposal.