§ 136. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Pensions when surgical shoes will be supplied to Mrs. W. M. Hopkins, 5, Princes Street, Huntingdon, as requested in letters sent to his Department by the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 11th November and 2nd December.
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§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI am glad to say that Mrs. Hopkins received her new surgical shoes on the 12th December. As the hon. Member will see from the letter which was sent to him yesterday there has, unfortunately, been abnormal delay in this case due to a series of most unusual happenings largely outside my control, for which I can only express regret.
§ Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Minister of Pensions why an order placed in June, 1946, for surgical shoes by Mr. Jack Hiles, 156, College Street, Dumfries, a disabled ex-Serviceman, has not yet been delivered; whether he is aware that for lack of footwear Mr. Hiles has been unable to go to work since 18th October, 1946, and in consequence has fallen into debt; and what financial arrangements he will make to compensate Mr. Hiles for loss of wages from 18th October to the date of delivery of the surgical shoes.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI am glad to inform the hon. Member that the new surgical shoes ordered on the 27th June, 1946, were despatched by the makers to Glasgow for delivery to Mr. Hiles on 13th December. In connection with the remainder of the Question, I am looking into the case and will write to the hon and gallant Member.