§ 67. Sir A. Baldwinasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent a claimant for sickness benefit through incapacity to work who received a postal draft for £5 6s. 8d. in payment of the sickness benefit is debarred under his regulations from drawing the money owing to his failure to present the draft during the time allowed, namely six months.
§ Miss PittThe regulations provide for extinguishment of the right to benefit if payment is not claimed within six months,98W but extend this period in certain specified circumstances. Whether it should be extended in any particular case is a matter for the independent statutory authorities responsible for determining claims and questions under the Act.
§ 68. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that a widow has her 10s. pension deducted from her sickness benefit when she is ill; that she has paid, and is still paying, the full contribution for this benefit; and if he will take steps to see that widows who find themselves in this position are permitted to draw the full amount for which they contribute.
§ Miss PittI presume that the hon. Member's Question refers to a woman who has no entitlement to a widow's pension under the present scheme but who, in recognition of her husband's insurance under the pre-1948 scheme, has a 10s. pension which has to be taken into account when she qualifies for any of the benefits of the present scheme. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for modifying the arrangements made in this respect in 1948. I would point out that the widow's title to these other benefits may also derive from her late husband's contributions.