§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delays experienced in the obtaining of decisions with reference to claims for alternative pensions are constantly met with in all branches of the War Pensions work where reference to regional headquarters is necessary, particularly in the examination and settlement of claims under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant and in medical appeal board cases; whether he can see his way to have a most searching inquiry into the regional administration with a view to the elimination of these constant delays whch are causing such adverse criticism;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the delay that is constantly experienced in obtaining decision of claims for alternative pensions under Articles (3) and (13) of the Royal Warrant, thereby causing a serious grievance among ex-service men and widows; and whether he considers such delay is justifiable?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will reply to these two questions together. My attention has been drawn to instances of delay in the particular classes of case mentioned, but I do not at all admit that it is of the general nature suggested in the1456W questions. I would, however, remind my hon. and gallant Friend that I have recently set up a Departmental Committee to inquire into the system and methods of administration of my Department, with special reference to the working of the regional system.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Minister of Pensions whether the procedure introduced by Circular 1,019, of the 24th April last, in which it was directed that claims for alternative pension should be dealt with at regional headquarters, is mainly responsible for the delays in question which occur between the time of the forwarding of a claim to the region and the receipt of a decision; and whether the procedure in force before the issue of Circular 1,019, namely, the investigation of claims locally, is considered a more expeditious, sympathetic, and satisfactory method?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONRecent reports on the working of the revised instructions for dealing with Alternative Pension claims show that the procedure set out in Circular 1,019 has resulted not in delays, but in materially shortening the period which elapsed under the old procedure before a decision was arrived at. Under the new procedure the region receives the claim immediately it has been made, and by this means the region is able to watch the whole progress of the case and to intervene where the local investigation of the man's pre-War earnings appears to be unduly prolonged.