§ 44. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many claims for increased rates of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, are outstanding; and how long he estimates that it will take to settle these claims.
Mr. AlexanderThe number of claims for increased rate of pensions is approximately 30,000. Every endeavour is being made to clear these with a minimum 793 of delay, but the magnitude of the task is such that the work cannot possibly be finished until the early months of 1945. Progress is completely dependent on our getting a considerable body of extra staff to handle the work. Under present conditions this will be extremely difficult of achievement. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that I am making every possible endeavour to secure staff for this purpose and if I can possibly improve on my estimate of the time involved I will do so.
§ Lieut.-Commander HutchisonWhile thanking the Minister for that assurance, may I ask him whether he will bear in mind that a great many of these pensioners are now very old and in ill-health? Will he try to give some priority to their claims?