§ 109. Mr. LINFIELDasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that teachers retiring at. a pensionable age, or under pressure of ill-health retiring when very near to the pensionable age, have been kept waiting for their pensions, or even for an intimation of what pension will be granted and when it will be paid, for a period of over six months; and whether, in such cases, he will expedite the procedure of his Department so that the possibility of inconvenience to public servants may be avoided?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)I much regret the delays to which the hon. Member refers. Every effort is made to announce awards of pensions as soon as possible after retirement, but delay is unavoidable in some cases by reason of the number of applications, the number of points both of principle and practice arising upon them, and the necessity of investigating back service extending sometimes over 40 years. When delay is unavoidable, efforts are made to avoid hardship by 1685 means of interim awards. My right hon. Friend has given directions that inquiry should be made into the special case to which the hon. Member has privately called his attention, in which an interim award was on the point of being made.