§ 71. Mr. Molsonasked the Minister of National Insurance why no reply had, on 21st December, 1950, been sent to the Comptroller and Auditor-General regarding the amendment of Statutory Regulations to enable payments of benefit made in error to be recovered from the recipient.
Mr. B. TaylorThe question raised by the Comptroller and Auditor-General did not relate to the recovery of benefit but, as amplified in evidence before the Public Accounts Committee, to the power to review awards of benefit on the ground that they were wrong in law. Claims to benefit are decided by special statutory authorities under a Commissioner appointed by the Crown. Any proposal which might reflect on the independence and finally of their decisions obviously raises important questions of principle. It was therefore decided to keep the matter under review for a time to obtain a clearer view of the extent of the problem. It is hoped to send a reply shortly.