§ 7. Major COHENasked the Minister of Pensions what steps have been taken by his Department to bring to the notice of ex-service men and War widows the fact that he is prepared to consider on their merits genuine cases submitted outside the time limit; whether the Ministry officials in the local offices are aware of this fact; and, if so, whether they are permitted to explain the position when applications are made outside the time limit?
§ Major TRYONI fear my hon. and gallant Friend misapprehends the position. Exceptional cases of this or of other classes are, as my hon. and gallant Friend must be well aware, dealt with on occasion by my own, as well as by other Departments, by exceptional measures; but it has never been the duty of a Minister to invite every applicant whose claim is admittedly outside the enactments governing the matter to submit his case as a matter of course for exceptional consideration. War pensions committees have, however, been informed as to the position in Memorandum No. 5, of which copies have been placed at the disposal of Members in the Vote Office, and in accordance with their standing instructions, chief area officers would, of course, forward for consideration any case in which appropriate evidence is tendered.
Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONWill the right hon. Gentleman authorise the local office officers to give assistance to those special cases named, so that they may be able to put forward their case in an intelligible way?
§ Major TRYONWhere there is evidence, in favour, of some exceptional circumstances those facts are taken into account.