HC Deb 17 January 1924 vol 169 cc243-4
5. Sir WALTER de FRECE

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases in which the pension appeals tribunal has postponed any final decision but in which the parties concerned are receiving no allowance of any sort; and on what grounds this policy is justified?

Major TRYON

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind cases in which the finality of an award has been set aside by the tribunal. The number of such decisions made in respect of cases where no award was in payment is not readily available, but I would again point out that a decision of this nature means no more than that, in the opinion of the tribunal, the case is not yet suitable for final decision. In cases such as those referred to by my hon. Friend, the man is examined immediately after the tribunal's decision by a Ministry medical board with a view to the award of any compensation for which he may be eligible.

Captain BERKELEY

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been directed to the correspondence in the "Times" newspaper by Sir Frederick Milner on the subject of pension appeals tribunals, and whether any steps are being taken to give assistance to the pensioners to present their cases to these tribunals?

Major TRYON

I have, of course, been aware, as far as I have been able, of comments and any suggestions which might be made of use. The point the hon. and gallant Member raises does not arise on this question, and has been specifically answered already.