§ 65. Mr. SORENSENasked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any steps to sec that old age pensioners who omitted to claim their pensions immediately they were entitled to them are not precluded from securing payment for the period between that time and when they actually received their pensions, but are permitted to claim that genuine ignorance of correct age was a circumstance over which they had no control?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI would point out that the old age pension is a periodical payment designed to provide for the current expenses of the pensioner. The Contributory Pensions Acts accordingly authorise payment of full arrears where the claim is made within three months of the pension date but where the claim is made later, limit the amount of arrears payable to three months. I am not satisfied that a case exists for exceptional treatment in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. SORENSENWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the representations made to him with respect to individual 617 cases of applicants who have had to undergo considerable hardship as a result of innocently forgetting their ages until some two or three years after the required time.
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am afraid I have no power to exercise any discretion in the matter and a period of three months appears to give ample time for the making of claims.
§ Mr. SORENSENHas the right hon. Gentleman any information respecting cases of this kind?
§ Mr. GREENWOODWe have a large number of cases where the applicant's ages are uncertain, and, in dealing with them, the greatest possible sympathy is always shown, but it is very difficult to keep open the time limit for an indefinite period.