§ 6. Mr. OLIVERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider obtaining the necessary powers to enable him to grant pensions to ex-service men in cases where it can be proved to his satisfaction that an injury or ailment arises directly or indirectly out of war service although seven years have elapsed since the termination of war service?
§ Major TRYONArrangements already exist, as I have on several occasions informed the House, which enable exceptional cases of serious incapacity caused by war service now manifesting itself for the first time to be suitably dealt with.
§ Mr. OLIVERIf such powers exist, why does the Minister frequently exclude pensions on the ground that the War Pensions Act of 1921 laid down the seven years' limit?
§ Major TRYONIt is clear that the provision in the Act of 1921 applied after seven years, but we are considering exceptional cases over that limit, and we are dealing with them, as we believe, satisfactorily.
§ Mr. OLIVERIf the Minister has the discretionary power which he now states that he possesses, will he on future occasions not use the War Pensions Act as a means of refusing to go into the merits of a case?
§ Major TRYONI certainly could not use the War Pensions Act in a sense contrary to its legal meaning, but we are dealing with cases which are exceptional.
§ Mr. LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Department are turning men down simply and solely because seven years have elapsed?
§ Major TRYONAs I recently stated in the House, applicants are entitled to put forward their claims and submit evidence. What the Government are doing is almost identical with the suggestion tardily made in an indirect manner in this question.