§ 4. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the policy of the Ministry to transfer the powers of local pension committees to the areas, so that the work carried out by these committees will in a short time be undertaken by permanent officials of the Ministry?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend may remember that the working of the local committee system was specifically included in the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee of Inquiry which I appointed last November. Until the report of that Committee is in my hands, I do not propose to make any statement.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has already, in anticipation, probably, of the Departmental Committee's report, transferred powers from local committees into the hands of area officials? Is he aware that already local committees are esnding circulars and resolutions protesting against this transfer of powers—I refer to circular 2032—and at the same time the representatives of local committees are now refused the right to represent applicants before the Appeal Tribunal, because the Ministry representative says they are usually hostile to the Ministry? I think that demands an answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERA question must be put briefly and clearly if the hon. Member wishes to obtain an answer.