§ Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. A. Good-child, of I, Salisbury Court, Salisbury Road, Hove, Pension No. 09538482, who qualified for old age pension on 1st February last as a voluntary contributor has not yet received any pension; and why his letters of complaint about this have not received attention.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe hon. Member will be glad to know that a pension order book for Mr. Goodchild was issued on 28th February, and has been received by him. Mr. Goodchild's pension was not awarded until after he reached age 65 on 1st February, because he did not claim until 19th January, 1948.
Claimants for pension have repeatedly been asked to make their claims as early as possible in the four months before they reach pension age. If Mr. Goodchild had followed this advice his claim would have been decided and his pension book issued before his 65th birthday.