HC Deb 29 November 1937 vol 329 cc1678-80
28. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Pensions whether when he has completed his tour of Ministry offices and institutions, and consulted the chairmen and representatives of war pensions committees, he will consider the position of ex-service men who claim that they are suffering from war disability but up to the present have not been able to get full recognition?

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)

The Ministry is at all times prepared to give further consideration to any rejected claim if additional evidence in support of it is produced. The consultations which I have had with representatives of War pensions committees have proved useful in many respects, but they have not given me any indication that the Ministry's arrangements for dealing with the class of case referred to are inadequate.

29. Mr. E. Smith

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to give a reply to the deputation of hon. Members whom he received in February of this year?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on the 2nd instant.

Mr. Smith

Will the hon. Gentleman inform us when he expects to be able to give a reply? Will it be within a reasonable time?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I cannot give any further information at the moment.

Mr. Shinwell

Has not sufficient evidence accumulated about the position of ex-service men to justify action in the matter?

Mr. Ramsbotham

If the hon. Gentleman has any evidence, I shall be glad if he will produce it.

Mr. Shinwell

In spite of the constant submission of evidence by Members of this House, is nothing to he done?

Mr. Ramsbotham

If the hon. Gentleman means individual cases, I frequently go into them with hon. Members.

30. Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the reports of the investigations made into the position of ex-service men by the British Legion and other organisations; is it proposed to publish the same; and what action is contemplated?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I understand that the results of the inquiry instituted by the British Legion will probably be communicated to the Government in the first week of the New Year. Until they are received I cannot say what action, if any, may be taken upon them.

Mr. Lawson

What steps are to be taken about the general complaints there are about cases that have been refused consideration?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The hon. Member refers to general complaints, but I can only act on specific evidence. If he will produce that I will act on it.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Minister aware that there are no opportunities for producing specific evidence, and that that is why we are asking for an inquiry?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The hon. Member can produce specific evidence any time he likes.

32. Mr. Stephen

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the widespread and growing discontent at the refusal of pensions to many disabled ex-service men and their dependants; and whether he will introduce legislation which will give local authorities the power to set up appeal committees to reconsider all such cases, and provide that the evidence of each applicant's medical adviser should be accepted as definitive with regard to such claims?

Mr. Ramsbotham

No, Sir. Under existing legislation any man whose claim is not admitted can lodge a complaint with his local War pensions committee which contains representatives of local authorities in the area. It is the duty of the committee to investigate all such complaints and report on them to the Ministry. I have found that this system is working satisfactorily.

Mr. Stephen

Does the Minister make the decision although the local committee is in a better position to judge?

Mr. Ramsbotham

Certainly not. The local committee investigates the complaint and submits it to the Minister.

Mr. Stephen

Is not the local committee in a better position to judge than somebody in London, and will the hon. Gentleman take steps to let the local committee make the decision?

Mr. Shinwell

How many complaints which have been favourably considered by the local pensions committees have been rejected by the Minister?

Mr. Ramsbotham

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

Mr. Stephen

Is the Minister aware that in almost every street in the country there are men who have been disabled in the war and are refused pensions?

Mr. Ramsbotham

If the hon. Member can substantiate that I shall be glad if he will produce the evidence.

Mr. Petherick

Is it not a fact that there is a general feeling in the country that these cases are very sympathetically considered and fairly dealt with, not only by himself, but by the local committees?

33. Colonel Clifton Brown

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the 166 local War pensions committees are the statutory medium for all complaints from claimants affected by decisions of the Ministry, he can find more practicable methods of maintaining a closer liaison between the Ministry and these committees than is afforded by the visits which he is able personally to pay them?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The object which my hon. and gallant Friend has in view has already appealed to me. I have now instituted arrangements whereby senior officers of the Ministry will from time to time visit localities and discuss with chairmen of committees individually particular cases or general matters about which they may find difficulty. Furthermore, the chief area officers of the Ministry are instructed to visit the headquarters of the Ministry periodically in order to make themselves familiar with every branch of the Ministry's work and policy as well as to discuss matters of difficulty in their areas.