HC Deb 06 December 1937 vol 330 cc36-7
62. Mr. Maxton (for Mr. Stephen)

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications in England and Wales for widows' and old age pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts that have been refused each year since the Acts were passed because the applicant was unable to satisfy the stamp qualification?

Mr. Bernays

The rejected claims have not been segregated according to the specific grounds of rejection, and I am, therefore, unable to give particulars for each year in the period to which the question refers. As the result, however, of a test examination of claims rejected in England and Wales it appears that out of 21,400 which were rejected in 1936 approximately 1,700 failed because 104 contributions had not been paid.

64. Mr. Maxton (for Mr. Stephen)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications in Scotland for widows' and old age pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts that have been refused each year since the Acts were passed because the stamp qualification was not satisfied by the applicant?

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Wedderburn)

Up to March, 1936, the analysis of claims disallowed in Scotland did not distinguish between the several conditions relating to insurance laid down by the Act. In the 12 months ended 31st March, 1937, out of 33,226 claims received 195 claims failed because 104 contributions had not been paid.

Mr. Maxton

Do I understand that nowadays in Scotland they go into separate categories?

Mr. Wedderburn

Yes, since March, 1936.