§ Captain HACKING.asked the Minister of Pensions how many cases of pensions are at present held up owing to his not being able to obtain within one month of application the necessary particulars from the War Office or from the officer in charge of records; and what measures he is adopting to expedite the receipt of these particulars?
§ Sir JAMES CRAIGI regret that I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. Continuous efforts are being made to reduce the delays and the Ministry is in close touch with the Service Departments in this matter. Some months ago liaison officers were appointed to act between the Awards Branch of the Ministry and those Record Offices where the congestion was found to be greatest, and the result has been satisfactory. A recent test shows that the position has greatly improved during the last two months.