8. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Pensions if he will authorise the payment of the travelling expenses of any relative, friend, or other person who, in the opinion of the local Pensions Committee, it is desirable should accompany a pensioner, laying his case before the Appeals Tribunal in order that poverty shall be no bar to an appellant's claim being adequately presented?
Mr. ROBERTSI have no authority to authorise payment of the expenses in question. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that, under Regulation 33 of the Lord Chancellor's Regulations governing the procedure of the Appeal Tribunals, a tribunal is allowed to grant travelling and subsistence allowance to the next-of-kin or other near relative of an appellant who is mentally incapable, and to any person accompanying an appellant who is certified in the prescribed manner to be unfit to travel alone.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIn the case of a pensioner who is in hospital at some distance from his home, is any effort being made to transfer him to a hospital nearer to his home?
Mr. ROBERTSI fail to see that that is a supplementary question arising out of the original question, but if my hon. Friend will put it on the Paper, I will give him every possible information.