§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Jane Govan, 47, Reid Street, Govan, was in receipt of a pension of 9s. 2d. per week; that she received a letter, dated 8th February, 1928, intimating that this pension had been reduced to 5s. per week as from 5th January, 1928; that the letter states that, as the need pension of 9s. 2d. per week continued to be paid until 13th February, 1928, she has been overpaid 4s. 2d. per week for five weeks and five days, a total overpayment of £1 3s. 10d., and informing her that 2s. per week would be deducted from her pension of 5s. per week until the overpayment to her was repaid to the Ministry; on what grounds the reduction was made; and whether, as she was unaware that any overpayment was being made to her, the money deducted will be returned to her?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThe pension in issue by my Department in this ease was one based on need and financial circumstances, and an adjustment became necessary owing to the fact (of which perhaps the hon. Member is not aware) that both Mr. and Mrs. Govan were each granted a pension of 10s. a week under the Contributory Pensions Act with effect from 5th January, 1928. It was not possible to adjust the need pension prior to the date of the new grants, and it was, therefore, necessary to effect recovery of the amount of need pension overissued by small deductions from the current pension. It is made clear to recipients of need pension that their pensions are subject to adjustment in the event of any permanent change in their financial circumstances, and I am unable, therefore, to adopt the course suggested.