§ 8. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to state the result of his conferences with those concerned as to the best means Parliament can adopt for securing to all men who served in the Great War, and who are now suffering disability, such pensions and allowances as will enable them to maintain themselves and their dependants without being forced to accept the status of paupers by being obliged to apply to the guardians for relief?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Frederick Roberts)The compensation due to ex-service men in respect of disability sustained in consequence of their war service cannot be equitably granted on considerations other than the degree of disablement resulting from their war service, but it is my firm intention that justice shall be secured in all cases to the fullest extent of my powers. Perhaps I may remind my hon. Friend, with regard to the latter part of his question, that all boards of guardians have, within the last few months, been advised by Circular of their duty to refer to the Ministry any case in which an applicant for poor relief claims to have a disability for which compensation has not been awarded.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that boards of guardians have referred thousands of cases to his Department, and they have been turned down owing to the final Appeal Tribunal?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI am aware that a number of cases have been referred, but whether the exact quotation given by my 1521 hon. Friend is right I cannot say. If he will bring cases to my notice, they shall be looked into.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHas the right hon. Gentleman forgotten the numberless cases that I have referred to him of men who ate suffering from disability, and claiming to be treated under the provisions of a Bill similar to that which he introduced last year—"fit for service, fit for pension"?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI am endeavouring to meet the requirements of all the cases which my hon. Friend brings to my notice.
§ Mr. LANSBURYBut they are all being turned down.