§ 68. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will circulate in Hansard a statement of the circumstances in which the case of Mr. Michael Teuber, of Woodham Mortimer, Essex, was mishandled by his Department; and what precautions have been taken to guard against the possibility of a similar succession of mistakes in future.
§ Mr. PeakeThe main facts are that this man had an accident while at work in July, 1950, and took no steps to claim benefit until March, 1952, when he was advised to do so by an Inspector of the Ministry who called in connection with the payment of contributions. The establishment of the circumstances of the accident after such a long delay proved difficult and I regret that mistakes, the nature of which have already been explained to the hon. Member, were made in dealing with the case. Mr. Teuber was eventually awarded disablement benefit at the rate of 20 per cent., and arrears 201W amounting to over £50 were paid. In general I think I can claim that there is no undue delay in handling claims to benefit.