§ 36. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that dismissals are taking place from the Government service owing to disabled ex-service men being unable, through an increase of their maladies, properly to discharge their duties; whether he is investigating all these cases with a view to an increase of the pensions awarded; and whether he has any statistics to show the number of disabled ex-service men who are not able to live on their pensions, are too infirm to do work, and who have to accept public charity?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. F. O. Roberts)I would remind the hon. Member that the pension is related to the average extent of physical disablement, not to the fitness of the pensioner to carry on a particular occupation. Ex-service men, who may be in the condition referred to, have the same well-understood opportunities of obtaining medical treatment and consideration for their cases as pensioners in other occupations. No information on the point raised in the last part of the question is, I fear, available.