§ 106. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of National Insurance why Mrs. H. Smart, Lenthall Villas, Astbury Lane End, Congleton, Cheshire, who was 60 years of age on 7th February, 1946, has not received her old age pension, in spite of having made continuous applications.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsOn the information before my Department, Mrs. Smart will not attain the age of 60 until 6th February, 1947. She claims, however, to have already reached this age and inquiries to clear up the position are still being made. In the meantime her pension will be put into payment with effect from 6th February, 1947.
§ 107. Mr. Lambertasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that a considerable number of old age pensioners in the South Molton division are not yet receiving the recent increase in the old age pension; and, as this is causing hardship, if he will take steps to speed up the payment of increased pensions.
§ 108. Mr. Wilkinsasked the Minister of National Insurance how many pensioners who qualified on 4th October, 1946, for old age pensions at the higher rate are still awaiting delivery of their new pension books; and, in view of the considerable hardships which has been occasioned, what steps he is taking to expedite delivery.
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§ Mr. J. GriffithsI made a full statement on this subject in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp) on 21st January. I am glad to say that the measures taken to speed up the issue of revised pension order books to which I then referred are working effectively. In particular, good progress has been made since 21st January in clearing cases in which retirement was notified to my Department by October. The number outstanding is now very small and practically all cases in which retirement is established should be cleared in the next few days. The outstanding cases, in which retirement was not notified until later, will also be rapidly overtaken.
§ 109 and 110. Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of National Insurance (1) when Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Dodgson, 73 Mount Terrace, Scholes, Cleckheaton, who is 80 years of age and an old age pensioner for the last 15 years, will receive the 26s. pension book to which she has been entitled since the first pay week in October;
(2) when Mrs. Martha E. Shaw, 4, Whitehall Grove, Birkenshaw, near Bradford, whose old age pension number is H 1344545, will receive the 16s. pension to which she has been entitled since the first pay week in October; and why his Department has been so long in attending to a matter, the acknowledgment of which was made on 28th October, 1946.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsNew pension order books were sent to the Assistance Board at the end of January for issue to Mrs. Shaw and to Mrs. Dodgson.
§ 112. Commander Nobleasked the Minister of National Insurance whether hi-will consider posting the old age pension to aged or infirm persons.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsArrangements are already in operation under which pensioners who are unable to call at the Post Office may collect their pension through an agent. In temporary illness the form of proxy on the back of the pension order may be used. In continuing infirmity a pensioner may, on application to the Ministry, appoint a permanent agent and a standing authority for the agent to collect the pension is then issued. I have no reason to believe that these arrangements do not adequately meet the needs of pensioners who are unable to call personally at a Post Office.
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§ 113. Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that claims for old age pensions were sent in by Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, of Newton-le-Willows, in August last; that Mr. Taylor's pension is being paid, but Mrs. Taylor's pension, number 19555256, is still held up without explanation; why that has occurred; and if he will take steps to expedite a decision.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Carsonasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that Mr. T. W. Tile, 27 Setterfield Road, Margate, has not yet received his new pension book and, although he wrote twice to Blackpool, he has only received an acknowledgment card, his pension book number being 40486175; and when Mr. Tilbe will receive his new book.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI am having inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.