69. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that nearly one applicant in every three who appeals to the Ministry of Pensions Tribunal is successful in his appeal; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to avoid putting so many persons to the trouble of appealing?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)The proportion of appellants successfully appealing to the tribunal is approximately as stated, but it is necessary to bear in mind that the proportion of appeals to rejected claims is less than 15 per cent. Thus the successful appeals represent less than 5 per cent, of the adverse decisions given by the Ministry, and this fact may, I think, be regarded as a testimony to the care with which all claims are considered in the first place. No claim is rejected by the Ministry without the most careful consideration of all the relevant facts of the case; and my right hon. Friend does not consider that any further steps in the direction suggested can reasonably be expected of him.