asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that pensioners whose draft books have not been received by post offices owing to delay on the part of the Pensions Issue Office are now forced to wait several days before obtaining payment, and that this change in system is causing hardship to those men who are dependent on their pensions; and whether he proposes to take any steps to restore the practice hitherto in force under which advances wore made by the local pensions officers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on this subject on the 19th ultimo, of which I am sending him a copy.

Why should such a man be penalised?

We do not admit he is penalised.

He is.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of James Henry, of 37, Arran Street, Bala, an ex-soldier undergoing hospital treatment who on the 29th March last was given leave to visit his family, and who has been refused readmission to hospital owing to an outbreak of measles in his home; is he aware that the Ministry has suspended the home treatment allowances which were being paid, and that the family has been compelled to seek parish relief; and whether, in view of the fact that the man is prepared to return to hospital and is only prevented from doing so by the Ministry, steps will be taken to pay the home treatment allowance during the man's enforced detention at Bala?

In the exceptional circumstances of this case, my right hon. Friend has arranged for allowances to be made during the period of waiting.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in which of His Majesty's Dominions have reciprocal provisions been made for the enforcement of separation orders under The Maintenance Orders (Enforcement) Act, 1920?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.