Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners draw their retirement pensions at (a) post offices, (b) banks and (c) building societies in the Portsmouth South constituency; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures. (Letter in Library Dep 04/759).

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners draw their retirement pensions at (a) post offices, (b) banks and (c) building societies in the Portsmouth South constituency; and if he will make a statement. [98099] Malcolm Wicks: The number of pensioners in receipt of Retirement Pensions collectable at Post Office in the Portsmouth South constituency was 7,886 at 28 December 2002. This figure includes payments by giro cheque, which can also be paid into a bank or building society account. The number of pensioners in receipt of Retirement Pension paid directly into a bank or building society was 6,373 as at 28 December 2002. Information to differentiate between payments into bank and building society accounts is not available. Some customers who are paid direct into an account can also collect their benefit in cash at post offices through network banking arrangements at the Post Office. There is no data available on the number of benefit claims collected in this way.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 98099; 400 c196-7W;400 c194-5W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Banks Building societies Pensioners Pensions Post offices State retirement pensions Portsmouth
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk