§ 5. Mr. William A. Stewardasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that applications by widows for death grants under the National Insurance Act, 1946, are being rejected because such applications are made more than one month after date of death; and, in view of the fact that this action is contrary to the ruling laid down in paragraph 13 of Leaflet N.I.49, if he will issue instructions that such applications are to be received.
§ Mr. PeakeThis leaflet sets out the position under the current Regulations correctly and contains a warning that a claim may be prejudiced by delay. I cannot therefore agree that it is misleading. In any event, I have no power to issue instructions about the application of the Regulations to individual cases.
§ Mr. StewardIs my right hon. Friend aware that it states that a claim should be made within one month after the date of death and that delay in making a claim 1998 may prevent its success, and that it goes on to say that, if there is a good cause for delay, the time for claiming may be extended within certain limits? Will my right hon. Friend consider the case of Mrs. Wilding, of 72, Court Road, Eltham, if I send him particulars?
§ Mr. PeakeThese individual cases are decided by the statutory authorities, as the hon. Member knows. However, I would inform him that the leaflet to which he refers has been re-drafted and that a new issue came into circulation in June, 1951. I think the new leaflet is even more definite upon the question of the time limit than the previous one was.