36. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the referees appointed under the Contributory Pensions (References) Regulations, when hearing appeals for pensions under the 1391 Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, may decide that a case is of such a nature that it can be determined without a hearing, and that an applicant has no appeal against such refusal to be heard, he will consider taking steps to amend the Act to give such persons the right to be heard?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of any case in which it has been suggested that hardship has resulted from the provision referred to by the hon. Member which is embodied in the References Regulations. The referees have always been ready to grant hearings on the request of applicants except in cases where it is clear that there is no possibility of the claim succeeding. If in a particular case, it is contended that through the failure to have a hearing some material fact has not been before the referees, the position of the claimant is safeguarded by Section 29 (3) of the Act which enables the Minister to revise any award or decision on new facts being brought to his notice.