35 and 36. Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he will state in connection with the issue of the special identification form to persons in receipt of pensions from the Ministry of Pensions, reference No. M.P.I.F. 27, what Committee of the House of Commons made the request for this to be done, and for what purpose is this information necessary; and whether due consideration has been given to the feeling of the ex-service men having to describe the nature of their disabilities;
(2) upon what statutory authority he acts when enforcing that the payment of pension is liable to be deferred until the questions in the special identification form reference No. M.P.I.F. 27 are answered: whether the assistance of his Department will be given in tracing such records as are essential for the completion of this form; and whether, in certain cases, the limit of 21 days will be waived so as to avoid any hardship being incurred?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)The form referred to was introduced following the second report of the Committee of Public Accounts, 1919, and is in use by public departments in similar classes of case. The sole object of the form is to secure the identification of pensioners, and to protect the Exchequer against personation. The form is drawn up to preclude any person other than the pensioner being in a position to give correct answers to the questions it embodies, consequently the disclosure of the information by my Department would defeat the object in view. It is desirable that there should be no unreasonable delay in the completion of the form, as it is, of course, in the interests of pensioners as well as the Ministry that identity should be established. Consideration is always given to 1793 cases which are known to have special features, and I shall be glad to look into any individual case in which hardship has been represented, and which the hon. Member cares to send me.
Mrs. AdamsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is really necessary 20 years after the last War to ask ex-service men to give intimate details of their wounds and disabilities incurred in the service of the nation, in order to establish their identity for entitlement to the continuance of their pensions?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe form is not sent in mental cases or to blind persons or pensioners in institutions or under treatment or to very old people, and in difficult cases our inquiry officers will render any necessary assistance.
§ Mr. WatkinsWill the hon. Gentleman say to whom this form is sent?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIt is sent to the pensioner. To whom would the hon. Member expect it to be sent?
§ 37. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Laing Wilson, of Thornton, whose son was killed in the War; is he aware that when she was remarried in 1921 she was given a remarriage grant of £11 and her pension was stopped, and, in view of the hardship with which this mother is confronted, will he take the necessary steps to restore her pension for the son she lost in the War?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAs the hon. Member has already been informed, the gratuity paid to Mrs. Wilson in 1921, when her pension ceased on her remarriage under the provisions of Article 23 of the Royal Warrant, represented the only further payment which my Department could make to her, and it is not within my power to restore her pension.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of this and many other similar cases of very great hardship arising out of the War, will the Minister not seriously consider getting new regulations, or is it essential that a mother should suffer as this woman is suffering owing to her losing her son in the service of the country?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am making careful investigation into all matters relating to 1794 the Royal Warrant, but I am not prepared to make any statement at this moment on a question, like this, of high policy.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the question of new regulations be considered, as there are so many cases in the country?
§ 38. Mr. Stephenasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of female officers, staff officers, executive officers, higher clerical officers, clerical officers, clerical assistants, superintendents of typists, shorthand typists, and copying typists, in the Ministry of Pensions who are being transferred to the new office at Hayes, Middlesex; the losses in pay which will be sustained by such officers; whether the staff concerned has been given due notice of the move; and whether efforts are being made to avoid the transfer of those members of the staff for whom the move would involve particular hardship?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAs the question relates wholly to staff in my Department, I have been asked to reply. The following female staff of the grades mentioned are to be transferred to the new office at Hayes, Middlesex:
| Higher clerical officer | … | 1 |
| Clerical officers | … | 12 |
| Clerical assistants | … | 75 |
| 88 |
§ A provisional selection has been made of the staff to be moved, and notice has been given to the individuals concerned. Sympathetic consideration is being given to those cases in which it is represented that transfer would involve exceptional hardship.
§ As regards the rates of pay, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to the hon. and learned Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson) on 27th June, which explains the operation of the regulated system of provincial differentiation laid down in the agreement with the staff side of the National Whitley Council. Under the arrangements covered by this agreement, there would be no immediate loss of pay in the cases of 85 officers. The three other officers are clerical officers whose London rate exceeds the provincial 1795 maximum; the pay of two would be reduced by £14 and one by £20 per annum. I may add that the application of the agreement to this transfer is under discussion with representatives of the staff through the usual channels.