§ 55. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in existing circumstances more than the usual time is taken in verifying claims for old age pensions, with the result that where a person is in receipt of benefit under the National Insurance Act the benefit ceases when the age of seventy is reached, but weeks elapse before the old age pension becomes payable; and whether, in view of the hardship caused, the pension could be made payable either from the time the applicant reached the age of seventy years or from the date of the application?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)I am not aware that in existing circumstances more than the usual time is taken in investigating claims for old age pensions. A claimant may by law prefer his claim at any time within four months in advance of the date of his fulfilling the statutory conditions for a pension, and unless he does prefer his claim in advance of that date the pension cannot under the law be made payable from that date. If the right hon. Member is aware of any case in which an eligible claimant has preferred a claim four months in advance of the date of fulfilling the statutory conditions, and yet has not obtained payment of the pension as from that date, I should be glad if he would furnish me with the particulars, so that I may have inquiry made into the matter.
§ Mr. WINGIs it possible for intending applicants to give notice some time before, so that their cases may be dealt with. Many complaints are made.
§ Mr. BALDWINI think the answer deals with that question.