HC Deb 30 November 1936 vol 318 cc836-7
45. Mr. ELLIS SMITH

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a commission to review the position of all ex-service men who claim to be suffering from the effects of the last War, and to see that adequate payments be made while there is need?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

I have no evidence to indicate that any special inquiry is called for. I would remind the hon. Member that any claim by an ex-service man to be disabled by his War service can still be considered and, if it is ascertained to be well-founded, he will receive whatever compensation may be appropriate. Moreover, the statutory benefits of the various social services that provide for sickness, unemployment, and need, are available to ex-service men who also have many privileges of their own under these services.

Mr. SMITH

In view of the large amount of suffering among ex-service men, who have great difficulty in proving that it arises directly out of the War, will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation of representatives of all parties in the House who would lay this evidence before him?

The PRIME MINISTER

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put that request forward in the usual way. I am not quite sure that I should be the right Minister.

Mr. GALLACHER

Is the Prime Minister not aware that having to make a well-founded claim means that the benefit of the doubt goes against the ex-service man and not for him?

Mr. THURTLE

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is still in force a seven-years' time limit, which makes it impossible for ex-service men who have not already applied for pensions to apply?