I still have not got an answer to a very simple question. What arrangements will be made when this House is not in session to see that these payments are made promptly? It is a very important issue because the normal course of events is that one gets a letter of acknowledgment within three weeks and one does not get an eventual reply until three months later.

The first thing that happens is that the person is paid the benefit. The priority is given to going to the section and getting the benefit paid. An acknowledgment is sent to the Deputy and subsequently——

Will the Minister assure us that the payments will be made more promptly when he receives representations?

I assure the Deputy that I will take up with any section within the Department any query raised by the Deputy.

What would the Minister regard as a reasonable length of time?

They are taken up instantly.