§ Mr. Raisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take additional steps to ensure that the improved benefits relating to overseas service under the Pensions (Increase) Acts are made known to those, particularly widows, entitled to receive them.
§ Mr. WoodI have made arrangements to give wide publicity to the availability of benefits under the Pensions (Increase) Acts by circulating information to governments abroad and to pensioners' representatives in this country. I am also seeing if improvements can be made
New applications Applications for renewal Received Granted Received Granted 1969 … … … … … 71 60 17 16 1970 … … … … … 68 51 47 45 1971 … … … … … 76 53 48 24 1972 … … … … … 44 32 48 24 In the majority of cases, the authority is valid for three years.
§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 30 of the Green Paper on the Control of Firearms in Great Britain, in each of the last five years, 1968 to 1972, inclusive, (a) how many permits granting applications for permission to hold "prohibited weapons" were signed by the Secretary of State personally, (b) how many such permits were signed by another Minister, personally, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, and (c) how many such permits were signed by a civil servant, and of what grade within the Civil Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe grant, renewal or refusal of my right hon. Friend's authority under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 is notified to the applicant in all cases—whether or not the application has been considered by a Minister personally—by a letter signed by an officer of the Home Office, of the grade of executive officer or above.
452Win the advice given through the Crown Agents, who are the paying agents for all pension supplements, to new recipients of pensions, and particularly to widows.