§ Mr. GROVESasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will investigate the circumstances attending the stoppage of the old age pension of Mrs. Pearson, 9, Forest Street, Forest Gate: and, as the pensioner is in great distress, will he remit any amount at present due to her and continue the payment of the pension?
Mr. GRAHAMMrs. Pearson was overpaid a sum of old age pension money which, under Section 9 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, is a debt due, from her to the Crown, and is being recovered by withholding payment of her current old age pension. Having regard to the Circumstances in which the overpayment occurred, I am unable to authorise resumption of payment of the pension until the overpayment has been completely recovered.