HC Deb 02 April 1925 vol 182 cc1481-2
17. Mr. WINDSOR

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a circular has been issued to pensions committees modifying the procedure set up last year regarding the submission of resolutions to advisory councils of the Ministry; and, if so, whether he will place copies of the circular in the Library for the information of Members of the House?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

The only action taken in this matter has been that, following on the representations made by a war pensions committee, all committees have been informed that their statutory right to make representations directly to the Minister could not be abridged by any requirement that such representation should be made in the first instance through advisory councils. This step was necessary in view of the impression which had apparently been conveyed by a circular issued to them in the preceding year. I shall be happy to place copies of the circular referred to in the Library if this is generally desired.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the hon. and gallant Member also place in the Library a copy of the circular to which he has referred in his answer, which has caused some uncertainty?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

That is what I said I would do. The circular which has been issued to the local pensions committees will be placed in the Library.

Mr. STEPHEN

I mean also the other one, which involved the issue of the new circular. The answer says that some uncertainty was caused by, the previous circular and that a new circular had to be issued. Will the hon and gallant Member put the old circular in the library?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

It has been already issued to the committees. I do not think there could be any objection to the old circular being put in the Library, but I would like to be quite sure.

Mr. F. O. ROBERTS

Was this action taken on the representation of one particular committee?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

One committee called attention to the fact that they were entitled by Statute to make representations direct to the Minister, and as it was thought that it was intended by the circular to take away the statutory right which they had previously enjoyed, we were bound to inform them that their statutory rights still remained.