§ 13. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Pensions if he has received a resolution passed by the Dewsbury County Borough Council protesting against the callous treatment meted out by the Ministry of Pensions to ex-service men with regard co the cancellation of their Government and weekly allowances and the stopping of the pensions of war widows whoso husbands' deaths were not directly attributable to war service with the result that these men and women will be pauperised and dependent upon ratepayers who are unable to meet the demand; and if he will take the necessary steps immediately, either by legislation or otherwise, to secure the renewal of the Government maintenance, weekly allowances, and pensions?
§ Major TRYONI have seen the resolution referred to. I would remind the hon. Member that the fundamental principle of the Royal Pensions Warrants is to provide compensation for disablement or death due to war service. Exceptional provision of a temporary and compassionate nature was made, with the approval of Parliament, under which my Department was authorised to give medical treatment and pension, for the period of the War and one year after, in 3112 certain cases in which the disablement or death was in no way due to service. The Government do not see their way to alter the Royal Warrant in the sense suggested.
§ Mr. RILEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman give it to the House as his opinion that nothing further can be done in such cases?
§ Major TRYONMy opinion is in accordance with the answer which I have given. The benefits must be confined to those cases where the disability or death is due to war service.
§ 24. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of J. Giles, of 3, Hollins Top, Stannington Road, Sheffield, who joined the Army in 1915 as an Al man, and whose category on discharge was as low as possible, as a result of shell-shock; whether he is aware that this man has been treated in various hospitals with little result: that he was awarded full pension in August, 1921, which continued until he was sent to a convalescent home and training centre at Blackpool in October; that he was obliged to return home in April last through the illness of his wife; that, on applications to pensions offices at Ecclesfield, Brocco Bank, and Castle Street, he was told repeatedly that nothing could be done; that one official suggested that the man should go to the workhouse; that subsequently he went before an appeal board and was turned down without medical examination; that he eventually obtained another appeal board and was then promised a further medical examination; and that, not having received any pension since last April, this man, his wife, and two children are faced with the workhouse or starvation; and what steps does he propose to take to give immediate assistance in this case and to prevent a recurrence of such circumstances?
§ Major TRYONThis man has had repeated medical examinations at his own request, and I am satisfied that the case has received adequate consideration. As recently as the 11th instant the man was examined by a neurological board, who could find no remaining disablement due to service. Further compensation cannot therefore be granted, but the man has been informed that he has a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been ventilated in the "Yorkshire Telegraph and Star," and that the matter was inquired into by a reporter who satisfied himself that the man was seriously ill?
§ Major TRYONUnder the rules laid down for the Ministry of Pensions, we have to award disablement pensions according to the degree of disability. If a man is examined and nothing is found to be the matter with him, it is difficult to justify the taxpayers' money being spent on a disablement pension.