§ 25. Mr. WHITESIDEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in March, 1933, Mr. Thomas Burns, of 12, Mackenzie Street, Towngate, Leeds, applied for a pension under the Old Age Pension Acts, 1908–24; that at that time he was granted a pension by the local pensions committee, against which grant the local pensions officer successfully appealed and that subsequent applications by Mr. Burns have met with similar results; that an appeal is at present sub judice; and what is delaying the decision in this matter?
Sir H. YOUNGThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in, the affirmative, except that the committee rejected a second claim and, on appeal, I upheld their decision. As regards the last part of the question, the present claim requires the investigation of means over a fresh period, and the collection of the necessary evidence by the local pension officer is being expedited.
§ Mr. WHITESIDEIn view of the fact that this matter has, in fact, if not technically, been outstanding for nearly two years, I hereby give notice that, unless a satisfactory conclusion is reached between now and the reassembly of the House after the Christmas Recess, I shall raise the question on the Adjournment.
Sir H. YOUNGMy hon. Friend's statement is not strictly accurate. We are dealing here, not with a single appeal but with a series of appeals, which have been repeated.
§ Mr. WHITESIDEWhat right has a local pensions officer to appeal against a decision of the local pensions committee unless he has the material knowledge at his disposal?