§ Sir PARK GOFFasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the serious hardship throughout the country which is being caused to applicants for alternative pensions by reason of the delay in the decisions by the Ministry, and that this delay, which in some cases amounts to six months, is preventing the settlement of our discharged soldiers and sailors in their future careers?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSOwing to difficulties of staff and accommodation delays have occurred in the past in dealing with claims to alternative pension submitted to the Ministry. Cases are now, however, being dealt with promptly at Headquarters, and delays where existing, may be assumed to be due to local causes, or to the difficulty which is frequently experienced in obtaining verification of pre-war earnings. The question of local delays is being dealt with, and generally every effort is being made by the Ministry to expedite the settlement of alternative pension claims.