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.