HC Deb 15 July 1968 vol 768 cc1026-7
34. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Minister of Social Security what plans she has for altering the provision in the National Insurance Act, 1965, which prevents payment of benefit in respect of any period more than six months before the claim is made.

Mr. Pentland

The National Insurance Advisory Committee has recommended an extension of this and related time limits to 12 months. My right hon. Friend has accepted the Committee's recommendations and will implement them as soon as there is an opportunity of doing so.

Mr. Montgomery

But does not the Joint Parliamentary Secretary feel that this is a fraud? He knows a case I have brought to his attention, that of the lady who lost pension for four years nine months—a pension which she paid in for. Why do we have this silly regulation? Surely the Ministry should pay her the full amount?

Mr. Pentland

No. We fully debated the case of the hon. Gentleman's constituent, with whom he is concerned, in an Adjournment debate to which I replied only recently. The National Insurance Advisory Committee pointed out in its Report that absolute time limits are necessary both to avoid making nonsense of the initial time limits for claiming, and to avoid wasteful administrative expense.

Mr. Worsley

Will the hon. Gentleman look at this in a rather more generous way? Is he not aware of these cases of real hardship, particularly of separated wives who do not know of their husbands' death, or something of that sort? Would he look at it again?

Mr. Pentland

The hon. Gentleman knows full well that the National Insurance Advisory Committee has looked at this and made recommendations only a few months ago, and my right hon. Friend has said she will accept the recommendations.