§ 42. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health whether it is usual where application for an old age pension has been rejected by a local pensions officer but later recommended by a local pensions sub-committee and approved by the Ministry of Health, for the local officer to again appeal against the Minister's decision, and finally the Minister to disallow pension?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe hon. Member appears to be under some misapprehension. My right hon. Friend has no jurisdiction with regard to the payment of old age pensions except upon an appeal against the decision of a local pension committee, lodged by the claimant, or by the pension officer as the 993 case may be. The decision of my right hon. Friend in such circumstances is final.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that application for an old age pension has been made, the local pension officer has provided a balance sheet with the result that the pension was disallowed, that the man is appealing against the decision, and the sub-committee have granted his appeal; that the Ministry have accepted the sub-committee's decision, and that finally the pension officer has stepped in?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe position is that the pension officer is only an investigator. The decision, subject to approval, rests with the local committee. If the hon. Gentleman has any case in mind I should be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the Minister aware that I have another case in his Department at this moment exactly following out the wording of this question, and that I have another case in identical terms?