HC Deb 27 March 1917 vol 92 cc188-90
17. Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will be prepared to consider in the light of the experience which he may gain during the first three months operation of the new Royal Warrant the setting up of some-form of appeal machinery in all cases where there may be grounds for difference of opinion as to whether the condition of health of a man who has been discharged from the Army as unfit was aggravated while serving in the Army?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)

I shall certainly keep my mind open for the adoption of any course which experience may prove to be necessary for a fair interpretation of the Warrant which has now been approved by the House of Commons. I must, however, ask my hon. Friend to wait and see whether any new machinery is necessary. I cannot at present entertain any proposal to set up additional machinery having regard to the inevitable pressure due to the initial operation of the new Royal Warrants and Orders in Council.

Mr. MILLAR

Will the right hon. Gentleman specially have in view the type of case suggested in my question, in order to provide real machinery to deal with these cases of hardship?

Mr. BARNES

Certainly I will.

18. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give the scale of gratuity for men whose disability is alleged not to be attributable to or aggravated by service?

Mr. BARNES

As any scale which may be adopted will be subject to wide variations at my discretion, so as to ensure justice being done to the special circumstances of individual cases, I think it inadvisable to make such an announcement us the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. HOGGE

Then it is not the case, as my right hon. Friend has already announced, that there is a scale?

Mr. BARNES

I never said there was a scale.

Mr. HOGGE

Yes, you did.

Mr. BARNES

No, I did not.

31. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether dependants of soldiers refused increased grants by local war pensions committees have any appeal against the decision as in the case of dependants to the paymaster: and, if not, why an appeal is not allowed?

Mr. BARNES

Under No. 3 of Part II. of the Statutory Committee's Regulations a supplementary separation or other allowance or grant may be refused or varied at the discretion of the local committee. No special machinery for appeals from the decisions of the local committee has hitherto been found necessary, but it is always open to applicants to communicate with the Statutory Committee with regard to these cases.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to get an appeal for these people in the same way as the soldier's dependant has an appeal in the matter of separation allowance?

Mr. BARNES

There is no analogy at all. The appeal is to the paymaster, because there is a dispute between the pensions committee and the pensions officer. There is no dispute in the other case.

Mr. HOGGE

Is not the dispute here between people who are asking for money and do not get it?

Mr. BARNES

In that case they can appeal to the superior authority.