§ 29. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the prolonged delays taking place in Scotland in the payment of contested insurance benefit claims; is he aware that the submission of the claims to London, both prior to and subsequent to the decision of the court of referees, adds considerably to the delay; that the normal claim is taking four or five weeks before payment is made; and whether he can issue instructions to the local manager in Dundee to decide in the first instance in the large number of non-complicated cases and so avoid hardship to poor people?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am not aware of the occurrence of such delay as is suggested, but I will look into the matter 487 at once and, if the hon. Member can give me particulars of one or two specific cases, that will help me.