asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Brighton has received over 50 complaints during the last 14 days from constituents who have been kept for anything up to five months without pensions and without replies to their queries from his Department; that they are running into debt and in some cases are in dire need; whether this constituency is exceptional; and what he proposes to do to stop these delays.

I assume the hon. Member refers to cases in which title to the higher rate of pension has been claimed after the beginning of October. I have had inquiries made, and I find that there have been special local difficulties in clearing these cases in the Brighton area. These have now been removed and the work of clearance should proceed speedily.

The right hon. Gentleman says that they have now been cleared. Is he aware that only yesterday 15 people came to see me on this subject, and they simply have not the money and, cannot carry on?

I said that they were being cleared immediately. I am sorry if there were local difficulties at Brighton, but as soon as I heard about them, I took immediate steps to clear them.

In these circumstances, will my right hon. Friend resist all pressure from the Opposition to decrease the number of civil servants?

Will the Minister bear in mind that, from all accounts, Blackpool seems to be working very slowly indeed, and that only today I had to send him four cases?

I am very conscious indeed of the difficulties in organisation, which I am trying to improve. We are working a very great scheme, and while there have been disappointments, I would remind hon. Members that there are millions of pensioners drawing a higher pension than ever before.

Is the Minister aware that Brighton is by no means unique in this respect?

Will my right hon. Friend take care to ensure that Assistance Board officials do, in every case, give help as promptly as possible, on an interim basis, as he intended, because, in some cases, they do not seem to know his intention?

Yes, Sir, and if my hon. Friend knows of any case perhaps he will let me know.