§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he will issue information to approved societies as to the decision on applications for widows' pensions and children's allowances in all cases where investigations as to membership qualifications have been investigated by the societies?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe duty of an approved society in this matter is confined to the furnishing from its records, on the application of my Department, of a certificate showing the insurance position of the member whose death has given rise to a claim for pension, and I could not justify the expense which would be involved in notifying to the society the result of the claim, nor is there any evidence of a desire on the part of claimants that this information should be given.
§ Mr. DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether the passing of a Legitimacy Act brings any children legitimised under that Measure eligible to claim allowances under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act: and, if so, how many such allowances have already been granted and what is the total number of claims in this connection already made?
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Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, a special record was kept in the Department of claims which, although inadmissible at the time when they were made, might become valid claims if and when the Legitimacy Bill became law. The number of such claims is 709, and they are being investigated to determine whether the other conditions for the grant of pensions or allowances are satisfied.