§ 20. Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the hard- 876 ship caused to ex-service men by delay in forwarding pension draft books from London to local post offices; whether he can furnish the numbers of instances in which men have been forced to apply to local offices for advances during the present year; and whether, in order to reduce this delay to a minimum, he will consider the question of having draft books and ring papers prepared and pensions paid in the offices of pensions committees?
§ Major TRYONI regret that I have no available figures as to the number of cases in which pensioners have obtained advances from local offices during the present year, but the amount paid out by way of advance during the first nine months of this year (which is an approximate guide to the number of cases) is less than half the amount paid out during the corresponding months of last year. I may point out to the hon. Member that a very large proportion of the cases in which delay occurs in the payment of current pension are due to the fact that the pensioner has neglected to complete the certificate of identification, or life certificate, which is at present required to be furnished quarterly by all persons drawing pension from public funds. The question whether this certificate of identification can be required less frequently, namely, at six-monthly instead of three-monthly intervals, which would be greatly in the interests of pensioners, is one which is being most carefully considered, and I am hopeful that this improvement may be effected. The question of decentralising pension issue to the local offices was considered by the Departmental Committee of last year, over which I presided, but the Committee were unable to recommend that the change should then be made, and I am satisfied that no benefit would accrue if it were made at the present time.