1. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Pensions if he has received a resolution from the Middlesbrough War Pensions Committee in favour of full expenses being allowed in the case of all appeals against final awards recommended by local war pension committees; and what action he proposes taking?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I have received the resolution referred to. The proposal that, in addition to travelling expenses and subsistence allowance which are already paid to all appellants, further payment should be made in respect of compensation for loss of remunerative time in all cases recommended by war pensions committees would not be a matter primarily affecting my Department, but that of the Lord Chancellor, to whom I have forwarded a copy of the resolution. So far, however, as the proposal affects my Department, I may point out that its practical effect would be to make the war pension committee the normal channel of approach and, therefore, a court of first instance in all cases, notwithstanding that this position would be entirely outside their statutory functions and that they would not have the knowledge and experience necessary to deal with the cases.
§ Mr. LOOKERWould not the granting of the request tend to increase greatly the number of appeals?
§ Major TRYONI am not certain of that, but there is not the least doubt that the proposal of the hon. Member would introduce discrimination by war pensions committees between one case and another, which would be very prejudicial to the interests of those cases not favoured by the committee.