§ 8. Mr. INSKIPasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the large number of cases which, having been classed in the first instance as attributable, were after re-examination at a much later day classed as only aggravated and finally as neither attributable, nor aggravated in spite of the continuance of 2069 incapacity; whether he is aware of the feelings aroused by the occurrence of such cases; and whether he can explain the apparent change of policy or the adoption of new standards by the Pensions Ministry or the final appeal tribunal which has resulted in such reversals of the earlier and more reliable diagnosis?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Macpherson)It is clearly my duty to secure that entitlement to pension has been properly conceded, and review with that object is specially necessary in connection with the very large number of claims which, owing to the heavy pressure of work consequent on demobilisation, were admitted on the report of a single medical officer. When subsequent examination by a properly constituted Medical Board, followed by full and expert consideration of all the relevant circumstances, reveals an incorrect decision on entitlement, I should not be justified in neglecting to make the necessary correction. In all such cases the man is informed of the alteration and advised of his right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.
§ Mr. INSKIPIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of these cases has now become very large, and that very great dissatisfaction is being expressed in a great number of cases as to the sudden existence of these medical revisions by medical gentlemen who were unaware of the original facts?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of that, but this cuts both ways. Very often a man, at the beginning of his demobilisation, was not considered to be entitled to a pension, but since then he has gone to the Appeal Tribunal and got his pension.
§ Mr. INSKIPHas not the right hon. Gentleman received a very long list of cases from the Bristol War Pensions Committee in which complaint is made that a single referee, who was unaware of the original diagnosis, has revised attributable or aggravated cases so that the man's pension has been cut down to a small figure or to nothing?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes, but the man always has the right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which is an entirely independent body instituted at the express wish of this House, and when 2070 there is any doubt in any case I always advise the man to appeal.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERI presume that on the Appeal Tribunal there are never less than three persons sitting?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir. In the case of a man there are a doctor, a lawyer and an ex-service man; in the case of an officer there are a doctor, a lawyer and an officer.