§ 7. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that pre-War pensions which were due on the 1st October, 1919, were not paid till the 5th February, 1920, and the pensions due on the 1st April, 1920, were not paid until the 14th June, 1920; if any reasons can be given for this delay; and will he take steps to see that these pensioners receive the money in future on the day it falls due?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not know to what class of pension my hon. Friend refers. Pensions paid by my Department are, with very few exceptions, paid weekly in advance.
§ Mr. EDWARDSWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent this delay?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCertainly, but I should like to point out that pre-War pensions are really under the Service Departments. Pre-War pensions are divided into two classes—the Service pension and the Disability pension. If my hon. Friend has got any case in which he is specially interested, and will send it to me, I will look into it at once, or consult the appropriate Department. I may say that under the new Bill I am taking over the administration of all pre-War war pensions.