Captain BALFOURasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that payment of the old age pension to Mr. R. W. Stone, of 47, St. Luke's Avenue, Ramsgate, was discontinued by the authorities at Ramsgate over six weeks ago without any previous notification to the pensioner; that no explanations for this action have been given and that payment of the pension has not yet been recommenced; and whether such stoppage under such circumstances is a customary practice and if and when payment will be resumed?
§ Mr. GREENWOODOnce in every 12 months a pensioner has to complete a certificate as evidence that he is still entitled to the pension, and this certificate is bound in the book of weekly pension3102W orders about eight orders from the end of the book. A pension order book expiring on 10th January, 1930, had been issued to Mr. Stone, and the certificate which was bound therein should have been completed about the end of November and returned to the Ministry. When the period of the order book expired the certificate had not been returned, but nevertheless a new order book was issued, and on 12th February a duplicate life certificate was sent to Mr. Stone, who was informed that unless the certificate was completed and returned within seven days payment of pension would have to be stopped. As the certificate had not been returned by 24th February, the Department had no alternative but to stop payment of the pension. On 17th March the certificate was received unsigned, and was returned for signature. A properly completed certificate has now been obtained and the order book has been re-issued to Mr. Stone.