§ 1. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that numbers of officers who were disabled as far hack as the first half of 1917, who have since been fianlly discharged by the medical clinic of the Ministry of Pensions as incurable, and who are entitled to permanent pensions, have not yet received the same; and what steps he is taking to expedite the granting of permanent pensions in such cases?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I am not aware that there is any considerable number of cases of the 1268 kind referred to. As I informed the hon. Member on the 15th March, the consideration of suitable cases for final awards is being carried out as rapidly as practicable, especially where officers or men have been in receipt of pension for not less than four years; but for practical reasons this can ordinarily be done only on an occasion of medical re-examination. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I should be obliged if he would kindly let me have details of it.
§ Mr. FRANK GRAYIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of cases later than the year 1918 in respect of which permanent pensions have not been granted?
§ Major TRYONIt is undoubtedly the case that permanent pensions are not granted in certain cases, and some of our decisions in which they have been awarded have been set aside by the Appeal Tribunal. It is also the case that some men are getting worse, and it would be against their interest to settle the rate of pension now.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs the Minister aware that quite a considerable number of these officers are being deprived of their future livelihood because of the uncertainty in regard to these pensions?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir; it is quite clear that not making the pension permanent does not deprive anyone of that benefit. The pension goes on, and the question is merely whether it shall be made final or not.