§ 2. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. George Hardy, of 33, Holland Street, Sutton Coldfield, Number BA970523, was informed by letter dated 6th January, 1949, that his 1947–48 contribution card showed no contributions paid and 10 credits only, when in fact it was fully stamped up to 3rd May, 1948, and had, between August, 1948, and the end of that year, been lost by the Department at Newcastle; and why Mr. Hardy was not informed in January that his card was missing.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Insurance (Mr. Steele)I reget that a mistake was made in this case. Mr. Hardy's contribution record has since been investigated and as a result he will be treated as having a full record for the year 1947–48.
§ Sir J. MellorIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the point is that not only was a false statement made, but a statement was made which the Ministry could not possibly have believed to be true? Will he therefore please explain how this arose?
§ Mr. SteeleThe clerk in the local office who was dealing with this matter unfortunately gave the wrong impression to Mr. Hardy; but Mr. Hardy was visited by one of our inspectors in January and in February and there was no misapprehension or misunderstanding in his mind as to the actual cause of the delay.
§ Sir J. MellorBut the Ministry said that Mr. Hardy's card showed no contributions paid. How could they say that when they had lost the card?
§ Mr. SteeleI think it must be appreciated that the local offices were working under great strain at this time, and the clerk, unfortunately, worded the message to Mr. Hardy in this way. Mr. Hardy was visited by one of our inspectors in January and in February and he appreciated why the delay occurred.