asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is now in a position to reply to the communication addressed to him by the hon. Member for The Hartlepools on 27th November, 1951, and to which he sent an interim reply on 10th December, under reference M.C. 54404.

The hon. Member will have received my further letter.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the reply which I have received, may I ask if, in view of the evidence revealed in this case, he will now review the administrative machinery in his local offices about references to local tribunals to avoid repetition of this type of case?

This particular case was one of special difficulty, but I have the whole question of principle under consideration.

Should not the administrative machinery in the local offices be reviewed to prevent this type of case arising in the future?