§ 4. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he has now reviewed the case of Mr. A. A. Major; and what decision he has reached.
§ Mr. PeakeA letter was sent to the hon. Member on 15th November explaining that the right to a National Insurance benefit is a matter for the independent statutory authorities, and that I have no power to intervene in their decisions. As the hon. Member is aware, Mr. Major has appealed to the local tribunal.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that the pensioner went in good faith to a job to which he was sent by the Ministry of Labour at £2 for 22 hours and that for this reason he has lost, with his wife, seven weeks' pension amounting to £26 and has received only £10 in National Assistance? Is this not disgraceful? Will the Minister take steps quickly to make good the money of which the pensioner has been unjustly deprived?
§ Mr. PeakeNo, Sir, I could not accept those strictures in a matter where a case is sub judice and an appeal is pending before the local tribunal.