§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Pensions whether he authorised the despatch of a communication to the Member for the Stratford Division (Mr. Groves) informing him that his attestation of the form of life certificate for Mrs. H. C. Seal, of 12, Albert Square, cannot be accepted; that special emphasis was laid upon the ineligibility of a Member of Parliament signing such documents, but only such persons as retired civil servants, bank managers, postmasters, teachers, or justices of the peace; and whether, in circumstances where a Member of Parliament is willing to so attest, such restriction may be removed and no such communication be received by a Member?
Mr. GRAHAMThe list of persons qualified to attest pensioners' declarations 619W is contained in the Treasury Warrant dated 25th September, 1923, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Appropriation Acts, and it is not within the power of Departments to accept other signatories. The Treasury is prepared to include in the list of those qualified, any substantial persons who are ordinarily approached by pensioners, but at the time of promulgation of the Warrant of last September, it was understood that Members of Parliament were not as a general rule approached. Frequent alteration of the Treasury Warrants is deprecated owing to the considerable expense involved by the consequent amendment of pensions forms of which large stocks are held.