HC Deb 12 July 1923 vol 166 cc1542-3
5. Mr. A. GREENWOOD

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc. (Transfer of Powers) Act, 1917, empowers the Special Grants Committee to make Regulations, and that he has no power to issue Regulations under the name of the Special Grants Committee without the approval of the Committee, he will withdraw such Regulations as have been put into operation without the approval of the Special Grants Committee?

Major TRYON

The hon. Member has been misinformed. I have issued no new Regulations. The Regulations about to be issued were framed by the Special Grants Committee. They are for the most part a re-enactment of the old Regulations with certain modifications, of which some were proposed by the Committee themselves and the remainder were accepted by them as necessary to secure the approval required of me by Statute.

Mr. GREENWOOD

Have all the Regulations about to be issued by the right hon. Gentleman been approved by the Special Grants Committee and is he able to issue Regulations in the name of the Special Grants Committee when they have not been approved by or have been imposed upon the Committee?

Major TRYON

Again I am afraid the hon. Member entirely misunderstands the position. The point is that the Regulations are drawn up, but they are not dependent on the approval of the Committee. The Committee draw them up, but they are dependent on my approval.

Mr. GREENWOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider he has a right to publish Regulations not approved by them? I can understand his position that he should have approved the Regulations, but they cannot be regarded as Regulations of the Special Grants Committee unless the Special Grants Committee approve them.

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