§ 26. Brigadier-General BROOKEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that decisions of the Commissioners of the Chelsea Hospital, with respect to soldiers' pensions, do not carry with them any right of appeal as in the case of the decisions of the Ministry of Pensions; what reason there is for such differentiation; what are the grounds upon which Governments have decided that no such appeal is necessary; and whether he will consider the desirability of giving to soldiers the same rights as are enjoyed by men who served in the Great War?
§ 28. Colonel PERKINSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in respect of soldiers detained in mental homes, for whose condition the authorities accept no responsibility, there is no appeal whatever against the decision of the military authorities that their condition is not attributable to war service; and why there is a right of appeal in regard to similar cases coming under the Ministry of Pensions but no right of appeal in cases dealt with by the War Office?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am aware that there is no right of appeal against the decisions of the Chelsea Commissioners. The Chelsea Commissioners are not subject to the control of any Government Department in their administration of the pension regulations; they are, in fact, an independent body who adjudicate upon the soldier's claim.