HC Deb 26 July 1927 vol 209 cc1018-9
39. Mr. T. KENNEDY

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has, been drawn to the number of officers and men whose earning capacity has diminished owing to the progress of their pensionable disability, three, four or more years after the grant of pension; and whether, seeing that these men are debarred from applying for an alternative pension after the expiry of 12 months from the date of the award of pension, he will consider such amendment of the Royal Warrants as will permit a claim to alternative pension when the degree of disablement has increased and earning capacity is, in consequence, diminished?

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

The alternative pension was a special provision of limited application designed to benefit those officers and men whose pre-War earnings had been markedly in excess of the average. As such, a time limit was placed, not as suggested in the question on the claim to alternative pension, but on the submission of evidence and the establishment of pre-War earnings. Full information as to this special class of pension and as to the time limit was given to every pensioner individually, and was widely advertised in the Press. My right hon. Friend is unable to recommend an extension of this special provision of the Royal Warrants.

Mr. KENNEDY

Does that answer mean that in the case of a man's disability worsening, outside the time limit, no consideration can be given to him?

Lieut. -Colonel STANLEY

It does not mean anything of the sort. It means exactly what I said.

Mr. KENNEDY

Does the answer nor imply what I have indicated?

Lieut. -Colonel STANLEY

Nothing of the sort. It implies perfectly clearly that, if a man's condition worsens that matter can be looked into under the provision as to the correction of errors. The point about which the hon. Member is asking is an alternative pension. He is mixing up two things.