Overdue Pension Books

HC Deb 17 June 1947 vol 438 cc1766-7

8. Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the Minister of National Insurance what further steps are being taken to free the bottleneck at Blackpool to expedite the issue of overdue pension books to people now eligible for the additional pension; and if he is aware that the public assistance board in Birmingham state they are still dealing with cases which have been outstanding for 17 weeks.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I have made inquiries with regard to the statement referred to in the second part of the Question, and I am satisfied that no such statement was made by an officer of the board. In a reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on t5th April, I stated that hoped that by the end of that month pensioners retiring thereafter could ordinarily expect to receive pension order books at the increased rate within four weeks of notifying retirement. That expectation was fulfilled. I am glad to say that it has now been found possible to make further improvements in the procedure for co-operation between the board's officers and my central machinery, as a result of which the interval will be still further reduced from an early date in July.

Sir P. Hannon

Will the Minister give particular attention to these cases in Birmingham? The facts in my Question may not be exact, but there is some substance in it.

Mr. Griffiths

I certainly will do so, but I have had from other Members representing Birmingham constituencies very high tributes to the way the Birmingham Assistance Board deal with these cases.

Sir P. Hannon

I endorse that myself.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is it not a tact that many pensions books are sent to the Post Office, whereas if they were sent to the pensioners there would be no delay?

Mr. Griffiths

That would involve a change in the whole system by which the books have been sent to the Post Office and warrants have been sent to the pensioners. But when our own system is complete, we shall look into this mattes again to see whether we can devise a better system.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is the Minister aware that at some offices of the Assistance Board there are bitter complaints of the serious mistakes which are being made at Blackpool, and which seem to be increasing, thus causing books to go backward and forward, leading to still further delay?

Mr. Griffiths

I cannot investigate a general complaint. I know very well that there have been delays. I took all the risks—and I am not afraid of saying so—in bringing a big scheme of this kind into operation within two months of the passing of the Act. I agree that there have been disappointments, but, on the other hand, millions of old age pensioners are now enjoying their benefit.