§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of National Insurance how many appeals are pending to, and how many have been heard by, the Registrar of Appeals (Pensions), Norbreck Hydro, Blackpool, against his decisions relative to the amount of old age pensions.
§ Mr. SteeleThe Registrar of Appeals does not himself hear appeals under the Contributory Pensions Acts but refers them for determination to independent referees appointed under the Acts. I have ascertained from the Registrar that the number of old age pensions appeals so referred by him which were decided by the referees during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1947, was 2,453 of which 248 related to the weekly amount of the old age pension awarded; and that the number of old age pensions appeals outstanding which relate to the weekly amount of the pension awarded is 195. Any question about title to the increase payable on retirement is not a matter for the referees under the Contributory Pensions Acts but, during the present transitional period, for the Statutory authorities under the Unemployment Insurance Acts.