§ 66. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to allow the reopening of cases where the right of appeal to the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal has expired through lapse of time?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS(Lieut.-Colonel Stanley)My right hon. Friend would have no authority to adopt this suggestion. I would, however, point out that, as has been repeatedly stated in this House, arrangements are in force for dealing with exceptional cases in which evidence is produced to show that the existing decision, either on entitlement or assessment, is seriously erroneous.
Mr. BECKETTWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to make sure that all soldiers who have missed their right of appeal should be notified of the steps they should take?
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that the evidence to be submitted is not necessarily new evidence, but may be the old evidence put forward in a new form?
Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY; No, new evidence to show that there has been some mistake in the original decision. As to the other point I should like to communicate with the hon. Member, I am not sure that I grasp his point.
§ Mr. SPENCERIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Advisory Council which has been set up for Pension purposes, composed of men of all parties, strongly deprecates the attitude of the Ministry upon this point?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot now answer that question.