1. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the desire of pensions committees that the time limit on appeals in connection with final awards should not apply in any case where a statutory award was made before the 19th August, 1921, having regard to the fact that no individual notice was sent direct to the pensioner informing him of his right of appeal in these cases; and will he take steps to abolish the application of this time limit where no individual notice has been served upon the pensioner?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Roberts)I am aware that the suggestion referred to in the early part of the question has, among others, been made. I fear that the proposal made by my hon. Friend in the last part of the question would not be practicable. It has not been possible to issue individual notices to all persons affected by a statutory final award. for the reason that the Ministry have not necessarily any knowledge of men to whom compensation has ceased to be payable. The difficulty, however, to which he draws attention is one to which consideration is being given. At the same time, would point out that effective steps have been taken by me to deal with cases in which, as the result of medical treatment and observation, it is found that an award is, owing to a serious error of medical fact or judgment, found to have been erroneously declared final.
Mr. THOMSONIn view of the hardship arising in many of these cases, can the right hon. Gentleman make some slight concession in order to meet the circumstances?
§ Mr. ROBERTSAll cases of hardship are certainly considered, and the representation made shall he borne in mind.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the Pensions Minister say why, so far as the Government is concerned—not this Government, but any Government—some alteration 710 should not be made whereby a man may have his appeal Irrespective of the time limit?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I have already given.