HC Deb 11 November 1941 vol 374 cc2093-4W
Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the average time that elapses between the application for a war service grant and its award?

Mr. Paling

I have no statistics which would enable me to give a complete answer, and an investigation which was about to be made has had to be deferred in view of the much more urgent work at the moment of issuing grants under the New Scheme. So far as my Department is concerned the period of seven days quoted in my reply to the hon. Member for Tottenham North (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on the 29th July has now been somewhat reduced.

Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Pensions the estimated additional annual cost to the State involved by the increased allowances to families of persons serving in His Majesty's Forces recently announced, and the estimated annual cost of the inquiries and administration involved by these increases?

Mr. Paling

As my right hon. Friend explained in the course of the Debate on the 16th October he estimates that the extra cost to the State of the increased allowances will be of the order of £8,000,000 a year. As regards the second part of the Question, personal inquiry is not as a rule necessary for the review of existing allowances, but whilst the review will necessarily involve certain extra expenditure on staff, etc., I have reason to hope that when this is completed the cost of administration will be reduced by the changes introduced by the new scheme.