§ 40. Mr. Hubert Beaumontasked the Minister of Pensions what progress has been made in the payment of the improved rates of pension already announced?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the issue to pensioners of the necessary authority for payment of the improved weekly rates was practically complete at the end of last week, only a few cases of special difficulty then remaining in hand. It is only right that I should pay a tribute to the members of my staff, whose strenuous efforts have made it possible to anticipate the date which I promised for the completion of this work, and I should like also to thank the staff of the Post Office for their ready co-operation. The date which I gave for quarterly pensions will be adhered to.