HC Deb 14 February 1924 vol 169 cc981-2
5. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of need pensions in the Glasgow area on 31st March, 1923, the number of these pensions reduced since that date, the number withdrawn, and the present number of need pensions

Mr. ROBERTS

I regret that these figures are not readily available.

6. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of applicants for treatment in the Glasgow area during the past 12 months; the number placed on panel doctor or home treatment; the number marked no treatment required; the number placed on spare-time treatment; and the number placed on treatment with allowance

Mr. ROBERTS

I regret that the form in which the records of my Department arc kept does not enable me to give all the detailed information desired. I can, however, inform the hon. Member that during 1923 about 150 men resident in the Glasgow area received home treatment with allowances, about 900 were given out-patient treatment without allowances and approximately 3,000 were provided with treatment of all kinds with allowances.

16. Mr. KEDWARD

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service pensioners who attended hospital during January this year as out-patients and received treatment allowances, and the number of such out-patients in receipt of treatment allowances during the same month of the years 1921, 1922 and 1923; if he is aware that grave hardship is inflicted on large numbers of ex-service pensioners who have been under treatment in Ministry of Pensions hospitals owing to the termination of treatment allowances immediately on their discharge from hospital; will he arrange for treatment allowances to be paid to those men for at least one week after discharge; and is he aware that an organisation upheld by voluntary contributions, namely, the British Red Cross, very often has to help in such cases to prevent privation and suffering to such men and their families?

Mr. ROBERTS

I regret that figures for the precise periods mentioned are not available, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT information which will, I think, serve the hon. Member's purpose. The point raised in the latter part of the question has recently been inquired into by a Departmental Committee, who have recommended that my Department and the Ministry of Health should jointly consider what steps can properly be taken in the circumstances mentioned. The whole matter is receiving my consideration.

Following are the particulars referred to:—

— No. Undergoing out-patient treatment. Total.
With allowances. Without allowances.
During Dec., 1923. 10,259 26,956 37,215
During Dec., 1922. 19,833 51,042 70,875
During May, 1922.* 27,701 60,733 88,434
* The earliest date for which records are available.