asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentages of retirement pensions and family allowances, respectively, are paid by other methods than over post office counters.

Some 6¾ per cent. of retirement pensions were paid either four-weekly or quarterly by bankers' orders in April, in accordance with the choice of the pensioners concerned. In the case of family allowances, there are no general facilities for payment other than by order book, and virtually all are paid at post