Mr. BAKERalso asked the Minister of Health if he will issue instructions that in every ease where any document belonging to an applicant for a widow's or old age pension is retained by an official of the Ministry a receipt shall be given?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of the 10th instant. I see no reason to modify the existing practice in this matter.
Mr. BAKERalso asked the Minister of Health if he will publish an instruction that an applicant under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act shall not be required to produce a certificate of the death of her late husband if other evidence is more easily available?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe widow of a man who died before the commencement
2032Wtotals of subsidies to local authorities, annual payments paid direct to private builders, and capital sums paid direct to private builders; and what is the actual or the estimated total amount after payment of State subsidies of the deficits which the local authorities themselves have had to make good out of local rates in connection with State-assisted housing schemes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI append a statement giving the information desired by the hon. Member. I have no information as to the amount of the contribution from the rates is respect of houses erected under the Acts of 1923 and 1924.
of the Act is not required to produce the death certificate of her husband in connection with her claim for a pension, arrangements having been made to obtain verification of the death from the Registrar-General. The widow of a man who dies after the commencement of the Act, will, however, be required to produce a certificate of the death of her husband, and certificates for this purpose will be obtainable locally at a fee of 1s. The main object of this difference of practice is to avoid delay in dealing with the claim for pension: the death being recent, particulars of the registration will not have reached the Registrar-General by the time the claim for pension is made.