§ Mr. PENNYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he can see his way to make his Department responsible for any incorrect payments made to pensioners, and not call upon them to reimburse any sums overpaid or make reductions from the subsequent payments to them, seeing that these mistakes have caused pensioners great distress and hardship?
Mr. ROBERTSThe recovery of overpayments is a matter of general principle of administration common to the whole public service. Substantial concessions have, however, been made as regards my Department, and where serious hardship would be occasioned recovery is waived either wholly or in part. I am considering further if any additional concessions in this matter may properly be granted.