§ 55. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to state how many supplementary pensions were adjusted for the first week's payment on the new scale, which came into operation on 17th January; and when it is expected that all cases will be dealt with and arrears dating back to 17th January will be paid.
§ Mr. WillinkWhile precise information is not available it is estimated that about 100,000 determinations will have been reviewed in respect of week commencing 17th January. In rather more than 90 per cent. of such cases the review will result in some increase in the supplementary pension. The work of reviewing existing cases, which number over 1,250,000 will, it is expected, be completed by the end of March. Where the new Regulations result in an increase the increase will not take effect retrospectively but as from the date of reassessment.
§ Mr. TinkerIf the staff is not big enough to deal with cases immediately, should not these genuine cases be dealt with in accordance with what the House of Commons desired at the time?
§ Mr. WillinkIt is in accordance with the practice of earlier changes and no point was raised on the matter in the Debate.
§ Mr. TinkerOn this point, the House of Commons has been misled and I want to give notice that I shall raise the matter again, so that the House of Commons can decide what should be done to meet genuine and hard cases.