§ 3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in many cases, when a pension has been stopped owing to disability having apparently passed away, the wound or sickness frequently breaks out again, and a man who wishes to appeal is not allowed to do so except within a certain time; and whether he will allow cases of this kind that have passed the time limit to be submitted to a tribunal for decision as to whether the pensioner shall be allowed to appeal?
§ Major TRYONThe time limit of a year for the making of an appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals is statutory and is binding on the tribunal as well as on the Ministry. The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion could not therefore be adopted. Cases of he kind referred to are, however, comparatively few and are naturally met by the provision of medical or surgical treatment, in the course of which the Ministry is enabled to judge whether any special action is called for in the case.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the time of his predecessor this course was actually adopted, and that pensioners used to be allowed to go before a tribunal so see whether they could appeal or not? Will he reconsider the point?
§ Major TRYONI am not aware that there is any change whatever in the procedure.
§ Mr. PALINGIf a case of this sort is submitted to the Minister, has he any discretionary power to hear it?
§ Major TRYONAny case submitted to me would naturally be dealt with in accordance with the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. HARRISHave there been many cases where appellants have been allowed 533 to go before the Court to show good reason why they were not able to be in time; and can that still be done?
§ Major TRYONOh, yes. If there are good reasons why the appellant did not appeal within the time, then the case can be reviewed.
Mr. BECKETTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under his predecessors at the Ministry it was possible to submit fresh medical evidence and get a case reopened and considered by the Minister, but that that does not seem to to apply now?
§ Major TRYONThe statement made by the hon. Member under the guise of a question is not accurate. There has been no such change in the policy of the Ministry.
§ Mr. TAYLORHas the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with these cases, because cases have been brought to his notice and he says he has no power?
§ Major TRYONI did not say I had no power. The figures of the number of cases dealt with were given to the House last Tuesday.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that every case we bring before the right hon. Gentleman from this side of the House he deliberately turns down?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order, speaking for myself, may I disabuse the Minister's mind of the idea that we on these benches have any special grievance against him because we sit on this side of the House?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) is too new in this movement to stand here and speak for us. I repudiate him. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] Only five minutes in the party!
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think it would be better if hon. Members would settle these interesting matters outside.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe time to settle them is now.