HC Deb 12 April 1923 vol 162 cc1271-3
6. Mr. CAIRNS

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that there is a general impression that pensioners suffering from bronchitis and/or asthma are seriously under-assessed in respect of their degree of disablement; what is the number of pensioners in receipt of pension for bronchitis and/or asthma; and whether, owing to the nature of these diseases and the difficulty in arriving at a correct assessment during the two-minutes examination by a medical board, he will issue instructions that pensioners whose disability is bronchitis and/or asthma shall be admitted to hospital for observation and that the re-survey board shall be held prior to their discharge from the institution?

Major TRYON

The approximate number of pensions in payment. in respect of affections of the respiratory system (other than tuberculosis) is 41,000. I am not aware of the impression referred to, nor do I consider that any such views, if held, would be well founded. Procedure on the lines suggested in the last part of the question has been in force for some time, and is acted upon wherever the circumstances of the case render such a course necessary. I may add that the hon. Member is mistaken as to the time occupied by an examination by a medical board. The average time given to cases of re-examination for renewal of pension is more than a quarter of an hour, and to first claims or for final award the time given is usually over half an hour.

Mr. CAIRNS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people who have these complaints after being in the Army for two or three years joined up as Class A men, and had followed their work with great regularity, but cannot now do anything at all? What about their pensions?

Major TRYON

I do not understand the hon. Member's point.

Mr. CAIRNS

They had certificates from their employers before joining up that they had followed their work regularly, had had good health, and had never been off work at all; but since they went into the Army they contracted these complaints, and get no pension at all.

Major TRYON

If the hon. Member will send me the cases I will look into them. We do not confine ourselves to pensioning A 1 cases. If a man comes in as C 2 and is made worse we give him a pension.

Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last six specific cases from the Ponty-pridd district that were taken before the officials were all turned down, and that there are hundreds of men who were certified fit for service before the War and are to-day dependent upon Poor Law relief?