§ 27. Mr. Mabaneasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that of all disabilities suffered by ex-service men, apart from total and chronic invalidity, the loss of both arms is the disability 2652 which most completely precludes a man from earning; and, in view of this fact, will be reconsider the grant of a pension of £2 a week and a constant attendance allowance of £1 a week with a view to the increase of these amounts?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)The compensation awarded to these men is the maximum permissible under the Royal Warrants and is at the rate awarded for total disablement approved by Parliament in 1919 when the cost of living was much higher than it is to-day. This rate has been maintained by successive Governments, and though I am well aware of the serious handicap caused to these men by their disability, my Ministry, I am glad to say, has been successful in supplying artificial aids which enable most of these cases to perform many kinds of remunerative activity.
§ Mr. MabaneIs the Minister aware that no artificial aids can be supplied to enable a man who has lost both arms to perform any of the ordinary functions?
§ Mr. RamsbothamMy hon. Friend is not correct. I know of cases in which quite satisfactory aids were supplied which enabled the men to carry on with their work.