§ 34. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the number of persons who. during the past five years, have been disqualified from receiving part of their pension by reason of their failure to claim within the period of three months after attaining the age of 70 years: and whether, in deciding whether or not there is good cause for delay in making a claim, consideration is given to the physical and mental condition of the claimant, whether he is illiterate and the nature and place of his occupation.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI regret that the figure asked for in the first part of the Question is not available, but the number of such cases is not large. As the hon. and learned Member will know, decisions about right to National Insurance benefits are made by the independent adjudicating authorities appointed under the Acts, which take into account all relevant factors including such matters as those mentioned in the Question.