§ 56. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the old age pension of Mrs. Isabella Clark, 6, Glamis Street, Dundee, has been stopped for the past nine weeks; that she is 83 years of age and that her sole income is 5s. weekly 1251 from the pariah council; that a claim for renewal was lodged two months ago; and that letters of inquiry from a local Justice of the Peace and the clerk to the local pension committee to the Scottish Board of Health have remained unanswered; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, and regret the delay which has taken place, owing to the complicated nature of this case. I understand that pension has been granted as from 21st January, and that notice of the award has now been sent to Mrs. Clark. I am, however, writing the hon. Member more fully on the subject.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWhile thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his answer, may I ask him if he has any reason to believe that it is a common practice in his Department that letters on these subjects should remain unanswered for six weeks at a time?
§ Major ELLIOTThe Department is actually proceeding with these inquiries, but it is a matter of policy during the present rush time to reduce mere acknowlegment correspondence as far as possible.