§ 1. Sir Robert Youngasked the Minister of National Insurance whether Mrs. F. P. Roy, No. 52508586 is entitled to an increased old age pension; and if he will expedite payment of arrears accumulating for several months past.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Mr. James Griffiths)Mrs. Roy is entitled to have her old age pension at the rate of 4s. a week increased to 6s. a week. Immediate steps are being taken to provide her with a pension order book at the 6s. rate, and to make any necessary adjustment in respect of arrears.
§ Sir R. YoungWould the right hon. Gentleman let me know why Mrs. Roy is entitled only to 6s. a week?
§ Mr. GriffithsThis is one of the classes of modified pensions, which I carried through. I will send a letter to my hon. Friend explaining the matter fully to him.
§ Sir John MellorIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that old age pensioners go on writing to his Department month after month, and get only forms of acknowledgment?
§ Mr. GriffithsNo, Sir. The Department has had an enormous job to do. I have reorganised it. I am very anxious to cut out these delays as quickly as I possibly can.
§ 2. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of National Insurance the reason for the delay in dealing with the correspondence from Mr. Upfold, 28 Cherry Walk, Hayes, Kent, particulars of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe arrears of pension due to the late Mr. and Mrs. Upfold have now been issued. I much regret the delay in dealing with the correspondence from Mr. Upfold, Junior, and I am having a full inquiry made into the circumstances. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this correspondence has been going on since August, 1946? Will he make an example in this case, and take disciplinary action against the bureaucrat responsible for this inhuman treatment?
§ Mr. GriffithsI will have full inquiries made and, if necessary, take action.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members of Parliament are inundated with complaints about these delays? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Perhaps, it is that people suffering in this way have the sense to write to Conservative Members of Parliament. Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to see that people do not suffer unnecessary hardship?
§ Mr. GriffithsI certainly am aware of these delays, and I am anxious to do all I can to remove them. May I put this consideration to all Members? I put this pension basis into operation quickly—as quickly as I could. I could have used the old machinery designed for the old pension basis, instead of waiting for the new machinery. But as a result of my action millions of pensioners are entitled to the improved pensions.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very much better to take up these cases privately, than it is to waste the time of the House in dealing with these individual cases?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Question concerned correspondence from Mr. Upfold, and not the subject of correspondence, generally.
4. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of National Insurance what additional charge would fall on the insurance fund if those between 65 and 70 years of age who continue in regular employment were allowed to draw the old age pension at the full rate of 26s. per week.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe additional charge under the existing pensions scheme in respect of male pensioners between 65 and 70 with wives not insured in their own right would be about £14 million a year at the present time. The additional charge under the new pensions scheme which is shortly to come into operation would be about £16 million a year at the outset, rising to about £26½ million a year after ten years.
Mr. Baker WhiteDoes not the Minister think, in view of the fact that many craftsmen, particularly in agriculture, are over 65, that it would be worth while to pay these old age pensioners at the full rate of benefit, even if they remain in full work?
§ Mr. GriffithsThat point will be dealt with in my answer to the Question today by the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Mrs. Middleton).