§ 30. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that 17 old age pensions committees, whilst disallowing old age pensions under the 1908 to 1919 Old Age Pensions Acts, do not inform applicants who are insured under the National Health Insurance Acts of their rights under the 1925 Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and will he give instructions that such information shall be given to all such applicants whose claims are disallowed between now and next July?
§ Sir K. WOODI have been asked to reply. At the end of last month a revised form of claim for old age pension, specially designed to meet the situation arising under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, was substituted for the form previously in use, and under the new procedure all claims for old age pensions are forwarded to the Ministry of Health in the first instance for examination with reference to title under that Act. A revised explanatory leaflet, together with the new form of claim, can be obtained at any post office.
§ Mr. WESTWOODWill the hon. Gentleman undertake to give temporary instructions to Old Age Pensions Committees to advise pensioners that they have certain rights under the new Act?
§ Sir K. WOODThere is no reason to think that such action is necessary. If the hon. Member has any Committee in mind and will send me particulars, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs it not the case that Old Age Pensions Committees have been turning down claims and have not informed applicants that they have these rights?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. And if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any such cases I will have them investigated.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the hon. Gentleman aware that pensioners have found great difficulty in getting their claims recognised; and does it not appear to be the business of the pension officers to discourage claims rather than encourage them?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. And I am not aware that any great difficulty has been experienced in getting claims recognised.