§ 3. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions the number of disabled or partially disabled men who have received training; the number who are now self-supporting; and whether, in view of the fact that hundreds of thousands of able-bodied ex-service men, munition workers, and others formerly engaged in occupations necessary for the successful prosecution of the late War are totally unable to obtain employment, he will recommend the Treasury to grant full and complete disability pensions for all disabled or partially disabled men and their dependants until such time as those who are able-bodied and fit for work have obtained employments?
§ Major TRYONAs regards the first and second parts of the question, I under stand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that on the 31st October last the number of men who had received industrial training was 62,402, of whom 57,605 were disabled, and that there is no complete information available as to the number of ex-trainees who are now self-supporting. I may say that, in addition to the numbers already stated, some 11,000 disabled men were trained by the Ministry of Pensions prior to the transfer, in August, 1919, of the responsibility for training to the Ministry of Labour. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the, amount of disablement pension is regulated solely by the degree of disablement resulting from War service as assessed from time to time by medical boards which examine the man. I regret that I do not see my way to recommend any? departure from this principle to meet conditions arising from unemployment.