HC Deb 11 March 1926 vol 192 cc2592-3
123. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amounts now recorded as due on account of Old Age Pensions from C. W. Bowen, aged 80, and Mr. and Mrs. Weeks, aged 84 and 79, of Portsmouth, and if any of this recorded debt can be remitted?

Mr. McNEILL

The amounts recorded as outstanding on 6th March in respect of Old Age Pension money overpaid in the cases to which my hon. Friend refers were as follow:

£ s. d.
Mr. C. W. Bowen 53 15 0
Mr. W. Weeks 11 5 0
Mrs. Weeks 5 10 0
The cases of these pensioners have been very carefully reviewed, and, having regard to the circumstances in which the overpayments were incurred, I cannot sanction any remission of the amounts still outstanding.

Sir B. FALLE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is really a charge of fraud against these old people, and does he not think that in a case of fraud the people should be brought before the Court, so that the truth or justice of the accusation can be proved?

Mr. McNEILL

Yes, Sir; certainly that would be done if a charge of fraud were made.

Sir B. FALLE

Why is the money stopped if there is no fraud? Does not my right hon. Friend find that a dilemma?