§ 59. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES (for Mr. REMER)asked the Minister of Pensions by what article or regulation a pensioner is paid his pension from the date of his award, and not from the date of his disability?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Stanley)I assume the hon. Member has in mind cases in which the man was invalided from the Service with a disability accepted at the time by the Ministry as due to or aggravated by service. In such cases payment of any award of pension made by the Ministry takes effect, under Article 1of the Royal Warrant, from the date of discharge. Under Article 1 (2), however, pensions ordinarily are temporary at the outset, and arc awarded for a definite period. If the man fail to attend for a medical re-examination when summoned, the Minister has no power to make a fresh grant of pension, and any pension subsequently awarded as a result of a later medical examination would be based on the extent of the disablement then found, and would take effect from the date of the man's new application.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that cases occur from time to time where a soldier appeals before the tribunal, and the appeal is given in his favour, we will say, but the decision is given not as from the date of the application but as from the date of the appeal?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYThat is not the case which is mentioned under the particular question which has been asked.