§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the existing state of affairs at the Belfast War Pensions Committee; whether women dependants often with children in their arms, are kept waiting for long periods in the cold and rain, ill-clad and hungry, in the company of men suffering from all kinds of disease, infectious and otherwise; and whether he will take action to remedy this condition of affairs?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe attention of my right hon. Friend has recently been called to this matter, which is under inquiry.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that when a man has completed his period of medical treatment he is entitled to receive his ring paper to enable him to draw his pension at the post office; whether as a matter of fact this is never done, and men are kept waiting for weeks to receive their ring papers, which means that they have to go weekly to the war pensions committee to receive their pensions; whether this has led to great congestion and long delays in connection with the war pensions committee in Belfast; and whether he will take action to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe fact stated in the first part of the question is correct. The completion of the period of treatment is notified by the local committee to the Pension Issue Office in order that the ring-paper may be returned, but to avoid any break in payment the local committee is empowered to pay the pension direct until the man can draw it from the Post Office. On my right hon. Friend's attention being called to delays in some committees, a Circular was issued reminding the committees of the necessity for prompt notification. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Circular, dated the 19th ultimo. I have had no notice of undue delays in connection with payment by the local committee at Belfast, but I will make inquiries.