To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what appeals process exists for claimants who, when checking their pension entitlement, find that not all contributions that they have paid appear on their record.

Contributors can check the contributions they have paid by asking for a statement of their national insurance account at

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ni/intro/check-record.htm by telephone on 0845 302 1479, or by writing to HM Revenue and Customs, National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office, Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1ZZ.

If contributors still consider their record to be incorrect, they can notify HM Revenue and Customs, who will investigate the matter and give a formal decision which can be appealed.

Alternatively, claimants who do not contact HM Revenue and Customs but wish to appeal against their state pension award can appeal in the usual way using the form included in leaflet GL24, or in writing.

Upon identifying that the appeal involves an NI contribution issue, the First-tier Tribunal will refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend Mr Duncan Smith, requiring him to refer the issue to an officer of HM Revenue and Customs for a final decision. Upon receipt of the final decision a decision maker acting on behalf of the Secretary of State will consider whether the benefit decision should be revised as a result.