HC Deb 17 December 1925 vol 189 c1594
12. Mr. LOWTH

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by an officer of the Ministry that a very large number of men had received a lump sum in commutation of part of their pension and, under the impression that their pension had finished, made no further claim; whether he could state the number of pensions in issue which have not been drawn and the total sum in the hands of the Ministry in these cases; and what steps were taken to inform the men concerned that money due to them was held by the Ministry?

31. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a number of ex-service men have been paid various sums in partial commutation of their pensions, and being under the impression that they had no more pension due have not been near the pension office again, although considerable arrears of pension awaited them; and what steps are being taken to get into touch with these men?

Major TRYON

There is no foundation whatever for the statement (which so far as can be traced is based on a misunderstanding of a remark made by an officer at Pension Issue Office) that there is a large number of men who, after commutation of a part of their pension make no further claim under the impression that their pensions have ceased. Investigation has been made, but no case can be traced in which the balance of pension after commutation has not been claimed and paid. In every case where part of a pension is commuted, it is the practice of the Ministry to inform the pensioner of the future rate at which the balance of the pension will be paid to him, and the pensioner is furnished with an identity certificate or ring paper, by means of which he continues to draw the pension through the Post Office.