HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 cc873-4
74. Major NEWMAN

asked the Pensions Minister whether it is with, his authority that wounded men who are being reexamined by a medical board for adjustment of their pension are asked whether they are working, whether they are following their own trade, what is their present employment, how long they have worked there, whether their disability affects their earning capacity, and whether their work is permanent; whether he is aware that men who answer these questions truthfully have their pensions in many cases reduced, while those who give misleading answers, either themselves or through their employers, have the amount of pension maintained, and if he will give the Act of Parliament that authorises the putting of these questions and the basing of pensions on the answers given?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir James Craig)

Some, though not all, of the questions referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend are put by medical boards, who are, however, instructed to inform the man that if he prefers not to answer them he need not. It should be remembered that the medical boards do not only report on the degree of disablement: they advise as to treatment to assist in the man's recovery, and if he is doing work which is prejudicial to his health it is in his interest that the doctors should be in a position to tell him so. I cannot accept the statement contained in the second part of the question. The assessment of pension is based solely on the degree of physical disablement in accordance with the principles laid down in the Warrant. No doubt it is often the case that the man who is in regular work finds his pension cut down when he is next boarded. This is not cause and effect, but two effects springing from the same cause, namely, the improvement in the man's physical condition.

Major NEWMAN

Could the Pensions Board see their way to withdraw this question altogether?

Sir J. CRAIG

No. I think it valuable that we should have the right to ask the men what their work is at the present time. It often assists the board.

Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman issue instructions to the medical boards to tell the men that the questions will not affect their pensions?

Sir J. CRAIG

They are invariably informed that they need not answer any question which they think will prejudice, their case.