asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he is making of the likely take-up of unemployment benefit using both automated credit transfer and four weekly payment in arrears; and if he will make a statement.

The evidence presented in a recent study, commissioned specifically for the purpose by my Department, indicated that a significant number of unemployed people would consider favourably the opportunity to have their benefits paid directly into a suitable short-notice bank account. The study also showed that any form of four-weekly or calendar monthly payment would be less favoured. My officials are now carrying out development work on the practicability of automated credit transfer.