§ 55. Captain LOSEBYasked the Prime Minister whether, in the interest of discharged disabled sailors and soldiers, he will consider the desirability of decentralising some portions of the work of the Ministry of Pensions with a view to avoiding the delays which are now occurring?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have been asked to answer this question. I have decided with the sanction of the War Cabinet to decentralise a large portion of the administrative work of the Ministry of Pensions. Thirteen Regional Headquarters will be set up in the United Kingdom, to which will be entrusted the 2025 administration of awards, medical services and curative training. Appeal Tribunals will be attached to those regions. This will facilitate the work of the local war pensions committees who will thus be enabled to consult with the Regional Headquarters, and to refer to the Regional Director any administrative matters requiring decision. The Regional Director will be advised by a Regional Council upon which the local war pensions committees in his region will be represented. I hope that the administration of pensions will thus be improved and expedited.