§ 14. Major COHENasked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of claims that have been submitted outside the seven years' time limit during the past 12 months; and the number that have been admitted during that period either by way of award of pensions or provision of treatment?
§ Major TRYONDuring the 12 months ended June last, a diminishing number of new applications, amounting in the aggregate to 11,193, were received. During the same period, 13,000 claims were decided, out of which about 680 cases were admitted to pension, 275 were given other forms of pecuniary grant, and 22 were found to require not more than medical or surgical treatment.
§ Major COHENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the fact that comparatively few applicants have been awarded pensions, that they should be given some right of appeal; and will he bring pressure to bear with a view to facilitating the passing of the War Pensions (Amendment) Bill?
§ Major TRYONI am entirely in agreement with the following answer which was given by my predecessor:
No, Sir. The arrangements which I announced to the House on the 18th 16 November last are, in the Government's view, the preferable method of dealing with this class of case, and in the best interests of the ex-service men concerned."—[OFFICIAL, REPORT. 19th May, 1930; col. 48, Vol. 239.]
§ Major COHENIs it absolutely necessary that the right hon. Gentleman should follow the example of his predecessor?
§ Major TRYONI am not following; the late Government copied my method of dealing with these cases, which was to deal with them administratively rather than by legislation.
§ Mr. ALPASSAlthough these men's cases have not been favourably received on the first application after the seven years' period, is it or is it not a fact that, if they can produce further evidence, a further investigation can be made; and, if that be the case, is it not an argument in favour of the position taken up by the present Government, and also by the late Government
§ Mr. McSHANEIs it not a fact that there are thousands of these ex-service men who have not got justice yet?
§ Major TRYONI should regard such a description of the action of the Ministry of Pensions, both under myself and under the Labour Government, as most inaccurate.