Oral Answers to Questions — National Insurance – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 28 Ionawr 1947.
Mr Woodrow Wyatt
, Birmingham Aston
12:00,
28 Ionawr 1947
asked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. and Mrs. George Wainwright, 69 years of age and 68 years of age, respectively, who are both entitled to the increased old age pension rate, have not yet received their new books, although they have made the necessary application to his Department at Blackpool eight times since 28th September, 1946; and what steps he proposes to take to hasten this matter.
Mr James Griffiths
, Llanelly
New pension order books have now been sent to the Assistance Board for both Mr. and Mrs. Wainwright, who should receive them either today or tomorrow.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the whole question of delay in sending these new books is evidence of the inevitable breakdown of State control and centralised administration?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
That has nothing to do with this Question.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
In view of the many complaints which hon. Members have had on this issue, will the Minister see that when they make application an acknowledgment is sent to old age pensioners?
Mr James Griffiths
, Llanelly
Last week I made a very full and frank statement indicating the difficulty and the steps which we are taking to expedite the matter.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
