§ 10. Mr. DALTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether before cancelling the arrangement made by his predecessor, whereby direct representatives of war pensions advisory councils on the Central Advisory Committee of the Ministry were appointed on the recommendation of war pension committees throughout the country, he has consulted the said councils and committees and secured their approval?
§ 11. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions whether the scheme under which direct representation was given to war pensions committees on the Central Advisory Committee, appointed in pursuance of Section three of the War Pensions Act, 1921, was approved by his predecessor only after consultation with war pensions committees throughout the Kingdom; and, if so, what steps were taken to obtain the opinion of these committees in the recent appointments to the Central Advisory Committee?
§ 13. Mr. COMPTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he communicated to advisory councils of the Ministry his intention not to reappoint representatives of these bodies on the Central Advisory Committee; and, if so, what is the nature of the replies received from the councils?
§ Major TRYONWith permission, I will answer these questions together. I took steps in December last to inform both advisory councils and war pensions committees of the change which I had decided to make in the method of securing representatives of the latter bodies on the Central Advisory Committee, indicating at the same time the grounds on which I had found this course advisable. Members of this committee are appointed by the Minister and prior approval of the procedure by advisory bodies is not required. I am glad to say that, in several instances, I have received from war pensions committees spontaneous expressions of appreciation of the course I have adopted and of the object I have in view.
§ Mr. DALTONHas the right hon. Gentleman received any expression of opinion in the other direction?
§ Major TRYONI have certainly received some such expressions of opinion, particularly from some of the advisory council, who claim a right of appointment to this committee, which is not in accordance with the Act of Parliament.
§ 12. Mr. COMPTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has invited a nomination for the Central Advisory Committee from the north-west regional advisory council; and who has been appointed on the Central Advisory Committee as a representative of the war pensions committees and ex-service men and their dependants in the area of the north-western advisory council?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the latter part, I shall be prepared to give full information as to the membership of the committee when, as I hope will shortly be the case, it is complete. The claims of the committees in the area referred to have already been taken into account in the arrangements which I am now completing.