§ 21. Mr. J. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of cases considered by the Special Grants Committee during the period 1st January to 1st November, 1925; what was the amount paid in expenses to the Committee during the period; and what was the staff employed on duties appertaining to the Committee, and the cost of their salaries or wages during the same period?
§ Major TRYONIn the short time at my disposal I am able to furnish approximate
§ Major TRYONAs the information desired by the hon. Member contains a number of figures, I propose, with his permission, to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. BECKETTI quite agree, but can the Minister give us any assurance that the present longer delay in dealing with these cases is being remedied?
§ Major TRYONI do not agree that there is longer delay, and my recent inquiries in all parts of the country suggest that the cases ere going through well, and in some cases more rapidly than before, but in every case the first consideration is an adequate staff for dealing with the cases, and the second consideration is that the staff is not being retained any longer than it is wanted.
§ The following is the answer:
§ figures only. The total number of cases dealt with in the. Special Grants Committee in the first ten months of this year was 34,000. The amount paid to members of the Committee for expenses during that period was £370. This sum represents, of course, out of pocket expenses only. The total clerical and supervising staff employed on the 1st November, 1925, in the Special Grants Committee was 116, and the cost of salaries and wages during the 10 months was £24,300.