§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention had been called to the claim to a widow's pension which has been made by Mrs. G. N. Parke, of 1, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol, claim No. 66,421/28; whether he is aware that Mr. Parker commenced to pay health insurance contributions in 1915; that he joined the Army in August, 1915, and remained with the forces until 30th August, 1919, when he was trained under the Government scheme for ex-service men; that from January, 1923, to August, 1924, he was engaged in the building trade; that from August, 1924, until 19th March, 1926, he was unemployed and signed regularly at the Eastville Employment Exchange; that on 19th March he sailed for Canada where he remained until December, 1926, when he returned to England and began work at the beginning of January, 1927; and that he was again unemployed from July, 1927, until October, 1927, after which he worked
1888W
District Month to the end of which the figures relate. Amount of Total Deficiency. 1929. £ Scotland … … March … … 5,250,907 Northumberland … … February … … 2,131,027 Durham … … February … … 6,185,159 South Wales and Monmouth … … January … … 10,870,608 Yorkshire … … March … … 7,821,046 North Derby … … February … … 906,312 Nottingham … … February … … 924,340 Leicester … … February … … 2,227,558 Cannock Chase … … March … … 921,532 Warwick … … February … … 38,776 Lancashire and Cheshire … … February … … 1,712,241 North Staffordshire … … February … … 1,576,899 Cumberland … … February … … 670,094 North Wales … … February … … 723,295 South Staffs, and East Worcester … … December (1928) … … 81,097 Forest of Dean … … January … … 286,883 in the building trade until March this year, when he died; whether he is aware that, although Mr. Parker was insured for the purposes of the Act until 21st January, 1926, and that he again entered into insurance on 4th January, 1927, the claim to a pension has been rejected on the ground that the only period which is relevant is that which commenced on 4th January, 1927; and whether he will cause the matter to be reconsidered?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI find that Mrs. Parker appealed against the rejection of her claim for a widow's pension to the Referees appointed under the Act, who upheld the rejection. All the material facts cited in the question were duly considered before the original decision was given, and I have no power to review any decision unless new facts are brought to my notice.