§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour the cause of the delay of the umpire's decision in the case of G. Gorman, Case No. E. 11,723, which was heard on 10th October, 1934, and the decision of the umpire given on 20th February, 1935; if he is aware that there are many cases in which decisions are delayed over a period of months; and whether immediate investigations will be made into the causes of delay?
Mr. STANLEYThe appeal to the umpire in this case was lodged by the claimant's association on 16th November. The subsequent period which elapsed before the umpire gave his decision was due in the main to necessary inquiries. In a small minority of cases some delay is unavoidable, but I am satisfied that there is no unnecessary delay in dealing with cases. It was stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) that out of a total of 494 cases awaiting decision by the umpire on 22nd February, only 50 were more than a month old.
§ Mr. PEAKEasked the Minister of Labour the number of ex-service clerks
— Number of Pensioners. Annual cost of Original Pensions. Annual cost of Pensions Increase. Total annual cost. £ £ £ Not in receipt of pension increase 424 25,049 — 25,049 In receipt of pension increase 2,599 115,962 64,880 180,842 Total 3,023 141,011 64,880 205,891 Similar information is not available for other classes of pensioners, and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. As regards the last part of the question, it is a statutory condition for the in-
1316Win receipt of unemployment or transitional benefit for the Leeds district on 1st February, 1935?
Mr. STANLEYI regret that the statistics of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and transitional payments respectively are not compiled on a basis which would enable me to give the information desired.