§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of National Insurance why applicants for family allowances have to state whether they were British subjects before their marriage.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsUnder the Regulations a woman who has lost her British nationality by marriage is not required to satisfy 231W the special residence conditions required of non-British subjects, and the inquiry to which the hon. Member refers is only made in cases where it is possible that the claimant may be able to take advantage of this rule.
§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of National Insurance why it is necessary for applicants for family allowances to supply details of addresses abroad at which one or other of the parents may have resided in the previous four years.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn certain cases title to allowances depends upon satisfaction of the appropriate residence condition and experience has shown that unless details of residence are asked for the replies received are frequently so vague that further investigation is necessary.
§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of National Insurance how many questions have to be answered in the forms sent to an applicant for family allowances; and whether he is satisfied that all these answers are essential to the efficient working of his Department.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe majority of claims to family allowances are decided on the information given in the claim forms. In the other cases further inquiries are necessary into such questions as residence, maintenance and apprenticeship. The number of questions put to claimants in these circumstances depends upon the nature of the inquiry. No information is desired except that which is necessary for the purpose of deciding the claim and every effort is made to keep the number of questions as low as possible