§ 36. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health the number of persons who, since 1st June, 1929, to the last convenient date, have been refused their applications for a widows' pension?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of applications for widows' pensions which have been rejected in Great Britain since 1st June, 1929, is 61,470.
§ Mr. E. BROWNCan the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for Scotland?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI could not without notice.
§ 40. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many cases the period of one month which unsuccessful applicants for pension under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts may appeal against the decision of the Ministry of Health has been found to be insufficient, in view of the investigation which has to be made by applicants to determine whether there are sufficient grounds of appeal; and whether he will consider amending the Regulations so as to extend the period to two months?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am not sure that the position is as stated in the first part 1141 of the question, and I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Regulations provide that an appeal made after the end of the specified period of four weeks may, with the consent of the referee, be entertained. In the circumstances I am not satisfied of the need for an amendment of the Regulations as suggested in the second part of the question.
§ Major WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the time it takes for applicants for pensions to consult their advisers, and that a month very soon runs out; and will he consider extending the period?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am prepared to consider it, but the period of a month was really fixed in the interests of the persons concerned to avoid unnecessary delay.
§ Major WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have many cases of applicants who have had pensions refused, and who, by the time they come to me, have lost their right of appeal because the month has elapsed?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn many cases this may be due to a little laxity on the part of the persons concerned, but, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will discuss the matter with me, I shall be glad to do what I can.
§ Mr. E. BROWNWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the difference between running this in an office and living in a scattered district; and will he consider the case of the fishermen, for instance, who are away from home, and who perhaps have no legal advisers, and who lose their rights owing to the shortness of the period?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn cases like that, the referees have power to dispense with the Regulations with regard to the period of one month.
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORHas the Minister, apart from the referees, discretion to extend the period beyond a month?