§ 33. Mr. RENDALLasked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that, on the the resignation of one of the discharged soldiers on the Wotton-under-Edge Pensions Committee, Mr. C. A. Pearce was, by a majority of ninety-two, selected by the local branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers for the local pensions committee on 6th September; whether one week later he was selected by the local pensions committee; whether he attended meetings on 24th September and other dates, but had been told that he had no standing as his appointment had to be ratified by the county committee on 19th October: whether he has heard nothing to date of his ratification; that his appeals to the local chairman of the pensions committee, his letter's to the clerk to the county pensions committee and to the Ministry of Pensions have not even been acknowledged; and whether he can take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. HODGEI received from Mr. Pearce a representation on the 6th instant (which was acknowledged within a day of its receipt) regarding the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, and I have called for a report on the facts of the case from the inspector, and from the Gloucestershire County Committee. I am informed that Mr. Pearce has now been duly notified of his appointment.