§ Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the case of Mr. E. J. Thompson, of 26, Cannock Road, Hilton Main, Wolverhampton, whose application for a contributory old age pension was made on 1st January, 1928 and not finally dealt with until 3rd February, 1930; and on what grounds this application failed, seeing that contributions have been paid from 1st January, 1923, to December, 1928?
§ Mr. GREENWOODMr. Thompson first submitted a claim for an old age pension in September, 1927, which was rejected in December, 1927. He renewed his claim in January, 1929, and was referred to the notice of rejection issued on his first claim. In February, 1929, he appealed against the rejection to the referees appointed under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and alleged that certain employment on which he had been engaged was insurable although no contributions were paid. After investigation it appeared to the Department that the employment in question was not insurable, but on 11th October, 1929, Mr. Thompson gave formal notice that he desired a decision under Section 89 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924. That decision was announced to Mr. Thompson on 3rd February last. He has, however, made certain further submissions on the question of insurability which are being considered, and until these have been disposed of, the decision of the referees on the appeal against the rejection of the claim for old age pension cannot be made.