MR. DOYLEasked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the greatest dissatisfaction has been expressed by the Newcastle-on-Tyne War Pensions Committee at the inefficiency and delay of the Military Service Civil Liabilities Department, Savoy Place, London, in dealing with applications for grants; whether on 24th September last forty-eight cases were outstanding; whether, since then, grants have only been received in sixteen cases; whether twenty-seven cases were under correspondence on 29th October and nineteen other cases have been added to the list as being outstanding for more than a month; and whether measures will be taken to speed up the machinery in dealing with such cases and so avoid unnecessary privations and discontent in regard to those concerned?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. My attention has already been drawn to this matter. Of the forty-eight cases brought to my notice as outstanding on the 24th September, thirty-six have since been disposed of and I hope that the remaining twelve will be disposed of in a few days. I am inquiring as to the position of the other nineteen cases, and will communicate further with the hon. Member. As stated in reply to other questions, I am doing all I can to remove the difficulties which have militated against expeditious settlement of applications to the Civil Liabilities Department.