HC Deb 21 March 1929 vol 226 cc1824-5
3. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of his recent pledge to reconsider certain special cases which have gone beyond the seven years' limit and the experience gained in his Department over the reconsideration of these he is prepared to increase the number of cases to receive special consideration; and if he is aware that a large number of ex-service men have been reluctant to apply for pension whilst in employment although entitled to it, and are now being driven to do so by necessity?

Major TRYON

Any cases of exceptional character clearly justifying the grant of special compensation, on the lines which I have on several occasions explained to the House, will be considered. With regard to the suggestion in the last part of the question, there is no evidence whatever that the number of such eases is large.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the type of men who are coming in now is the type of men who did not want to apply for pensions but went to work at once, and whose disability came up afterwards, and will he give special consideration to cases like that of Blanchard, in my own constituency?

Major TRYON

That is the kind of case with which we are dealing under the arrangement under which we have granted a considerable number of pensions after the seven years' limit.

Sir FRANK MEYER

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the fact that a man was in hospital at the time of the expiry of the seven years' limit, and made his application immediately he came out of hospital, would be considered a ground for reconsideration by the Minister?

Major TRYON

If the man was in one of our hospitals on account of wounds or other disablement, that would obviously show that we were already considering the case.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consult his own Parliamentary private Secretary, who sent me a courteous but an unsatisfactory letter on this case?

Major TRYON

If the hon. and gallant Member wishes to raise individual cases, he had better do so directly rather than on the general question.