§ 94 and 95. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of National Insurance (1) whether he is aware that Mrs. Reynolds, 45, Royal Road, Sutton Coldfield, Old Age Pension No. 46498159, became entitled on 3rd October to an increased pension; that she wrote twice in October, thrice in November, also in February and March, to his Department at Blackpool or Birmingham pressing for her new book to be issued; and if he will explain the delay.
(2) why a new pension book was not issued to Mr. Herbert Symes, 126 Chester Road North, Sutton Coalfield, Old Age Pension No. 16506622, for more than six months after 3rd October, when he became entitled to an increased pension; whether he is aware that Mr. Symes wrote monthly during this period to the Department asking for the book and only received formal acknowledgments; and why no explanation or apology was contained in the letter, dated 16th April, from the Parliamentary Secretary to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield, with reference to this case.
§ Mr. SteeleA pension order book at the appropriate increased rate was issued to Mrs. Reynolds on 1st May, and Mr. Symes received his pension order book at the increased rate on 22nd April. The delay in settling these cases was due to circumstances of which the Rouse has been kept fully informed and it was for this reason that I thought it sufficient in the case of Mr. Symes to limit my reply to the statement that a pension order book had been issued.