§ 1. Sir JOHN PENNEFATHERasked the Minister of Pensions whether a War widow who is accused of misconduct has any opportunity of answering the accusation, before a decision to deprive her of her pension is arrived at; if not, whether she has any right of appeal against an adverse decision; and, if so, by what means and to whom can she appeal?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that a decision to deprive a widow of pension is not made by the Special Grants Committee until the widow has been informed of the charges against her, and has been expressly given an opportunity to state her case in person or in writing through the appropriate War Pensions Committee.
§ Sir J. PENNEFATHERIs that the practice which has hitherto prevailed, or is it a new departure?
§ Major TRYONThat is the practice which has been and is prevailing.
§ Mr. HAYESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any alteration has been made in the regulations consequent upon the representations that have been made recently by the Liverpool War Pensions Committee?
§ Major TRYONNo; the representations that have been made are being considered, but some of the other Committees do not take the same view on that point.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether in a case in which a widow is deprived of her pension, she is deprived of it permanently, or whether, after the lapse of a year or so, she can apply for it to be restored?
§ Major TRYONI am glad to say that in many cases we have been able to restore these pensions.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the fact that in these cases the widow is not allowed to know who has given the information? Is anonymous information taken notice of in these cases?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.