§ Mr. REMERasked the Minister of Labour whether the arrears of cases in the Civil Liabilities Department, stated in November, 1919, to be 47,000, were composed as to 50 per cent. of grants for the purchase of tools, and all these claims were at that date passed over to be dealt with by the Local War Pensions Committee; whether a large number of the remaining cases were claimed in respect of grants for furniture; whether no grants for furniture were made for several weeks by this Department; and whether he is aware that no notice was sent to the post offices by the Establishment Officer with reference to this matter, and that as a result there was much delay and inconvenience to the demobilised soldiers who are making application to the Department?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe exact figure of arrears at the date mentioned is difficult to state, but it was certainly nearer 70,000 than 50,000. Of these arrears some 2,217 were applications for grants towards the purchase of tools outstanding at the headquarters of the Department, but no records are available which would give the percentage of tools applications to the total number outstanding with the Commissioners and at headquarters during this period. No tools cases were at this time transferred to Local War Pensions Committees, as suggested by my hon. Friend.
As regards the suggestion that a large number of the remaining cases were claims in respect of grants for furniture, there are no records available as to the actual number of such cases outstanding. But there is no reason to suppose that the figure was a large one. Applications for grants towards the purchase of furniture were in abeyance for a short period covering both the old system and the new, pending the decision on an important question of policy involved, which was 267W ultimately settled to the advantage of the ex-service man. No such notice was sent to the Post Office, nor would there have been any object in doing so. The Post Office directs applicants to the Civil Liabilities Department, and cannot be expected to explain the scheme in detail.
§ Mr. REMERasked the Minister of Labour the number of appeals which were made against the grants made by the Civil Liabilities Department since the 15th November, 1919; and the number of cases in arrear at the present time?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere are no records available to show the number of appeals made against grants made by the Civil Liabilities Department during the period referred to. The number of cases, including appeals, not finally disposed of at the present time is 18,244, of which 935 are in process of payment. This figure includes a limited number of old cases, especially in Ireland, which are in arrears owing to causes over which the Department has no control. But, apart from these, it may fairly be said that the work is up-to-date.