§ 21. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time currently taken by his Department to pay death benefit grants; and how this compares with the time taken to deal with similar claims 12 months ago.
§ Mr. RossiProvided the claimant produces the necessary information, the grant is normally paid within two weeks of the claim. The position has not changed in the last year. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind in which there appears to have been undue delay, I shall be glad to look into it.