Mr. PRESTON:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the full pension has now been granted to Mrs. Silvester, of Short Acre Street, Walsall, and to her two pensionable children, as a result of her husband's death from the effects of gunshot wounds?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that an award of full pension has been made in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when application was made for this pension no reply was received from his Department for over a month, and will he take steps to expedite these replies to applications?

My information is that the order for payment of a pension was made in a month, but that the full pension was awarded later after inquiries had been completed.