§ 5. Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that all those ex-service men whose time limit for appeal expired on 6th February, 1924, had no reasonable notice of this fact; and will he give a short extension of time and send to each man an individual notice stating his right of appeal?
Mr. ROBERTSThe regulations governing the class of case referred to were published in February, 1923, and at the same time notice of the right of appeal was published in six issues of the principal newspapers circulating in London and the provinces and in three issues of the monthly journal of the British Legion. Notices were also displayed in the local offices of the Ministry, and in January last a reminder was circulated to the Press by whom it was given wide publicity. The right of appeal is limited by statute to the period of one year, and I have, therefore, no authority to extend it.
§ Captain BOWYERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the notice in the London newspapers was confined to six inches in one paper, and does he think that their residing all over Great Britain can reasonably be said to have received notice when this was the case; why will he not give individual notice as has been done? He has the addresses of these men.
Mr. ROBERTSMy information is not in accord with that of the hon. and gallant Gentleman. The notice was issued in six issues of six separate newspapers. In regard to the incidental circumstances of the appeal, the tribunal has now been given the right to hear such cases if they think well.
§ Mr. BAKERIn those cases in which the right hon. Gentleman promises that the case shall go to a tribunal, although it is out of time, is he aware that the Ministry is still objecting to the appeal being heard by the tribunal on the ground that it is out of time?
Mr. ROBERTSNo, Sir; we are not definitely objecting: we are simply calling attention to the fact that it is out of time.
§ Captain BOWYERIs it not the fact that the tribunal never does hear a case if 6th February had passed before the man made application?
Mr. ROBERTSI am not aware of that fact. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will bring cases of the sort to my notice I will have them looked into.
§ Captain BOWYERI beg to give notice that at the first opportunity—on the Adjournment, it may be—I shall call attention to this matter.