§ 44. Mr. ROBERT MORRISONasked the Minister of Pensions how many appeals upon the ground of tuberculosis have been heard by the tribunal during the past two years: how many have been refused; and how many allowed?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Stanley)My right hon. Friend regrets that the records of the Ministry do not enable these particulars to be given.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a very large number of men who were gassed in the War have since developed tuberculosis of the lungs, and that there is great dissatisfaction because of the enormous number of men suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs who have been turned down by the tribunals?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThat is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Pensions, and I can only repeat that the records of the Ministry do not enable the particulars asked for in the question to he given.
§ 48. Mr. MORRISONasked the Minister of Pensions whether a man who has lost both legs as a result of war service is entitled to the maximum constant attendance allowance of £1 per week?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYMen who have had both legs amputated at or above the middle of the thigh are eligible for the constant attendance allowance of 20s. a week in addition to their pensions. In other cases of double leg amputation the amount of the allowance would depend on the extent of the personal assistance ascertained to be required.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Minister of Pensions in the last Parliament but one—the same right hon. Gentleman who is Minister to-day—definitely laid it down in this House that all men who had lost both legs as a result of war service were entitled to the maximum attendance allowance?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYI am afraid I cannot say what happened in the Parliament before last, because I was not here, but as a matter of fact the regulation has always been that it depends on the amount of personal attendance that is necessary to the pensioner, what amount he should receive as weekly allowance.
§ Captain GEEIn view of the various statements that have been. made by Ministers of Pensions in this House, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman set up a Committee to inquire into the different statements which have been made and the regulations which are now being quoted?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYI do not think there have been many different statements, but I will look into the facts.