HC Deb 20 June 1966 vol 730 cc22-3
37 and 38. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) why Mrs. May Tazzar has not yet received her widowed mother's allowance, in view of the fact that her husband was killed last winter while working aboard the Sea Cow, a drilling rig, off the Yorkshire coast; and if she will expidite this case;

(2) what length of time must elapse before a person is officially presumed dead by her Department; and when this presumption will apply in the case of Mr. Edward Tazzar, of 8 Glentyan Terrace, Prices Hill, Glasgow, who was killed last winter while working aboard the Sea Cow, a drilling rig, off Redcar on the coast of Yorkshire.

Miss Herbison

Mrs. Tazzar has been receiving her benefit since 24th May. I have written to my hon. Friend about this case.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am indebted to her for the very full explanation of this unfortunate case which she has given me in writing? In her reply, however, my right hon. Friend states that, while she is not concerned with any legal question of presumption, nevertheless the date on which the claimant—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member cannot quote in his supplementary question.

Mr. Rankin

Might I say it, then, Mr. Speaker, without quoting—that the date of death of the claimant must be established. Was it not established in the Press almost the following day? Why was not that acted upon?

Miss Herbison

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this question on the Floor of the House. I regret very much the very long delay in this case, which I think was unwarrantable. I assure my hon. Friend that we are doing everything possible to ensure that such a delay does not take place again.