§ Mr. LLOYDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Jessie Truscott, of 46, Lower Pyke Street, Barry Dock, Glamorgan, made a claim on 7th November, 1929, for a widow's pension; that on the rejection of this claim she made application for determination of a question under Section 89 (1, a) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924; and that she has since answered a number of questions put to her bearing on this application, but is still awaiting a decision thereon; and whether he can take steps to expedite a decision in this case?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. On the rejection of her claim Mrs. Truscott appealed to the referees appointed under the Contributory Pensions Acts, but as a material question was whether her late husband was required to be insured when serving as a ship's officer, and this question was one to be determined under Section 89 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, she was invited to apply for a decision under that section. As her husband was employed on English and Scottish vessels, a decision was required from the Department of Health for Scotland as well as from the Minister of Health, and two applications were accordingly completed in November, 1930. Since that date it has been necessary to obtain a number of written statements from the shipowners and from Mrs. Truscott. Difficult legal questions are involved in the case, but every effort is being made to expedite the completion of the evidence required for a decision.