§ Mr. JOELasked the Minister of Health how many cases of applications for pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, have been decided by the Minister of Health under the powers conferred on him by Sub-section (4) of Section 1 of the Act relating to eligibility of doubtful cases?
Sir H. YOUNGDecisions under the Sub-section referred to have been given in 142 cases up to 30th November last. These are not actually decisions upon the applications for pensions. They are decisions of questions regarding the insurability of the employment followed by the deceased person. The final adjudication of the pension claim involves other considerations, and in the event of the Minister rejecting the claim, the final award is made by the Referees in the light of the Minister's decision on insurability.