HC Deb 24 May 1965 vol 713 cc12-3
8. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will change the system of payments for sickness claims so that those who make claims can more easily arrange collection by relatives.

Mr. Pentland

My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that the present arrangements are not generally acceptable, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will send me details I shall be pleased to look into it.

Mr. Lewis

Is the hon. Gentleman aware I have a case in mind, and that I have the idea that his Ministry is inclined to expect people who are sick in bed to collect their own money—certainly, very soon after they get out of bed? When they are convalescing it is still not easy for them to go to pick up the money due to them, and it ought to be paid to a relative.

Mr. Pentland

The hon. Member is quite wrong.

Mr. Bence

Of course he is wrong.

Mr. Pentland

If the hon. Member sends me details of a particular case I will, as I said, look into it, but if a claimant is in hospital he can ask the local office to pay the sickness benefit to his wife or other dependants. That is the position. We have no widespread evidence that anything is wrong with the present method of payment.

Mr. Bence

Is my hon. Friend aware that 95 per cent. of sickness benefits are paid by post?