§ 16. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions how many disabled men were receiving a course of inpatient treatment at the end of April, 1934, and the number of applicants who have been refused treatment allowances?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)At the end of April last, approximately 2,600 officers and men were in receipt of in-patient treatment, apart from cases in mental hospitals. The great majority of these would be in receipt of treatment allowances, but I have no record of the precise number who were found ineligible for them.
§ 17. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions bow many first claims to pension have been received during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1934; and of that number how many claims have been admitted and how many have been rejected?
§ Major TRYON3,550 fresh applications in respect of disablement were received during the year referred to. In the same period 300 claims were recognised by way of either monetary award and/or medical treatment according to the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEMay I ask whether those who have been rejected have any right of appeal to the appeal tribunal?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir, as the hon. Member knows, they have not, but the present Government, like their predecessors, 165 feel that the present arrangement is best both in the interests of the State and of the ex-service men.
§ Mr. DAVID DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while disabled men have been receiving treatment and since their discharge their wives and children have had to be maintained by the Poor Law authorities?
§ Major TRYONThat supplementary question arises out of the previous question, but not out of this question.