§ Mr. HOGGEasked whether applicants for old age pensions are informed in any way of the fact that they can have the particulars of their birth verified free of charge by the Registrar-General when forwarded through a pension officer; and, if so, in what way?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that whenever application is made to the Registrar-General for verification of the date of birth, and the application is stated to relate, or seems likely to relate, to a claim for an old age pension, the applicant is informed of the facilities for obtaining the requisite evidence of age free of charge through the pension officer; and any fee which has been remitted is returned.
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONaskd whether, in view of the fact that the 859 method of calculation in respect of persons over seventy years of age in 1821 was not in effect the method indicated in the heading to Table II. (3), page 32, of Cd. 3618, 1907, the President of the Local Government Board will publish amended figures, in accordance with the actual method of calculation indicated in the heading, so that the public may no longer be misled in the matter?
§ Mr. BURNSThe effect on the calculation would not, I understand, be very considerable. The occasion for which the tables were prepared has passed, and I see no reason for publishing an amended table.
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not the fact that the difference would amount to £90,000 a year?
§ Mr. BURNSI am informed that it makes 1 per cent, difference in the calculation. The report was made five years ago, so that it would hardly be worth while to give amended figures.