HC Deb 13 December 1926 vol 200 cc2559-60
52. Mr. ALBERY

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state, for the last 12 months, with reference to cases in which a reduction of final award has been made on appeal, in how many the Ministry have caused a deduction to be made in the reduced pension on account of over payments having been made under the original award after the date of appeal?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Stanley)

In 49 cases altogether during the period referred to the Ministry's award has been reduced by the Appeal Tribunal. Compensation in the form of pension was not in issue in all these cases, and I am unable to say in how many cases recovery was effected, from a lower rate of pension awarded by the Tribunal. The general practice of the Ministry is to take the date on which the man submits his appeal as the date from which the Tribunal's decision is operative, whether that decision is an award of greater or of less value than the award previously made by the Ministry. In the former case arrears are granted; in the latter case steps are taken to effect recovery.

Mr. ALBERY

Is it within the hon. and gallant Gentleman's power to remit such deductions, in view of the fact that. it is very hard on a pensioner whose pension has been reduced to take from him arrears of what has been overpaid?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

I could not answer the first part of the question. As a matter of fact, it works quite fairly, because, in cases where it is increased, the man gets it from the date on which he applied to the tribunal.

Mr. ALBERY

But does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not understand that while one pensioner gets the extra amount, the other pensioner loses it?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

One pensioner gets extra because his award has been increased, but the other has beer, reduced.

Mr. ALBERY

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not understand that that does not concern or help the pensioner from whom the deduction is made?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

I under stand that, but I think it works fairly to both classes of pensioner.