§ 44. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the declaration forms required to be filled up by claimants to increased pensions under the recent Pensions (Increase) Act, have now been issued.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Anderson)I understand that these forms are being delivered this week to the Departments concerned, who will proceed with their issue to pensioners as rapidly as present staffing difficulties will permit.
§ 52. Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates payment of the increases of pensions under the Pensions (Increase) Act will begin.
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 6th July.
§ Mr. HutchinsonCan my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this payment will be expedited as far as circumstances allow?
§ Sir J. AndersonI can assure the House that I am doing my utmost to expedite this matter. There have been difficulties; printing has taken much longer than had been expected.
§ Commander AgnewCan my right hon. Friend say whether payment will be made on the initiative of the local authorities, or whether individual applications will have to be made for extra allowances?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn certain cases individual applications will have to be made on forms which are being issued for the purpose on the initiative of the local authorities.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownAm I right in assuming that the normal procedure with the Department, which has a complete list of pensioners, is to send the necessary form to them, which they will fill up and return to the Department, and then the matter will be dealt with?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is so, but there is a limited class of cases in which the Department could make the payment without application.