§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Labour whether the number of insurance officers who are at present on the staff of the chief insurance officer at Kew; whether it is still the practice to refer all claims to benefit from England and Wales which are not allowed forthwith at the local insurance office to the chief insurance officer and his staff at Kew for allowance or disallowance; and whether the chief officer's decision is sought before cases of dispute are referred to the court of referees?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)Since last March no insurance officer has had power to disallow claims to benefit, save in trade dispute cases which are referred to the Headquarters Insurance Officer. In all other cases, if the local insurance officer cannot allow a claim it is referred to a local court of referees for decision. There are now 27 insurance officers at headquarters.
§ Miss BONDFIELDNot recently, but there has been some delay on account of the change over.