§ 32. Major-General Sir ROBERT HUTCHISONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that blind persons desiring to avail themselves of the cheap travelling facilities provided for their use are frequently obliged to forgo the privilege owing to the fact that the qualifying certificates supplied by the Ministry can only be obtained from certain centres; and whether he will see that these forms are available at all towns where blind persons are known to reside?
Mr. ROBERTSUnder the arrangements made by the railway companies who are, of course, responsible for the scope and application of the concession, a certificate that the man's blindness is connected with service in the Forces is required to be issued by a responsible officer of the Ministry. A certificate can always be obtained on application, either personally or in writing, to any one of the whole-time offices of the Ministry. I understand that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in large towns along the East Coast of Scotland blind persons at present must apply to Dundee for permits for travelling facilities, and could not arrangements be made to supply these permits in the various large towns in which blind persons are known to reside?
Mr. ROBERTSIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will come to see me in my room some time, I shall be glad to talk over the matter with him.