§ 41. Mr. Skinnardasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that there are many old-age pensioners still awaiting their new pension books in the area served by the post office in Mollinson Way. Edgware; that some pensioners have been forced to cash savings certificates in order to live; and whether he will expedite the delivery of the pension books to this post office.
§ Mr. SteeleI am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. No pensioner should be under the necessity of cashing savings certificates by reason of his not having had an increase of pension. Pensioners who have not received order books for the new rate of pension are entitled to draw pension at the old rate and may also, if in need, apply for supplementation from the Assistance Board.
§ 42. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that new pension books have not yet been issued to pensioners Nos. 37484783, 11531058 and M 275/ 08454459, whose names and addresses have been com- 304W municated by letter to the Parliamentary Secretary, and to numerous other pensioners in the Kettering division and that their letters to his Department in Blackpool have remained unacknowledged and unanswered; and when he anticipates that the new pension books will be available.
§ Mr. SteeleI have received my hon. Friend's letter about these cases. Inquiries are being made, and I will write to him as soon as they are completed.
§ Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that old age pensioners in Hythe have not yet received their pension books and that in consequence they draw 10s. in Hythe and have to travel to Folkestone to draw the remainder of their pensions; and if he will take immediate steps to stop this inconvenience and expense to which old persons are being put.
§ Mr. SteeleI am aware that a number of pensioners for whom new pension order books have not been issued by my Department claim to be qualified for increased pensions and inquiries into these cases are being made as quickly as possible. Where the Assistance Board are making temporary weekly payments by way of reinstatement for the amount of the supplementary pension, pending the issue of a new pension order book at the increased rate, any pensioner who so wishes can apply for this payment by post rather than in person and I understand from the Board that their officer at Folkestone will this week make sure that all the pensioners concerned are aware of this.
§ Mr. Pagetasked the Minister of National Insurance (1) why Mr. Alfred James Cook, 37, Monarch Road, Northampton, an insured person, 67 years of age, who retired on 28th September, 1946, has not yet received his new insurance book;
(2) why Mrs. Brew, 50, Alliston Gardens, Northampton, who has five children under 16 years of age, has not yet received any family allowance;
(3) why Mrs. Kate Wilson, 4, Cowper Terrace, Junction Road, Kingsley Park, Northampton, Pension No. 52477784 has not yet received her new pension book.
§ Mr. SteeleI am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.