HC Deb 19 December 1938 vol 342 cc2466-7
55. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that of the cases referred to him by Members of Parliament the proportion of pensions allowed is less than one in 14; and whether, in view of the growing dissatisfaction throughout the country and in the House of Commons, he will take powers to adjust the basis on which pensions can be awarded?

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)

I would remind my hon. Friend that the great majority of cases whose claims are met by the Ministry are submitted through the ordinary administration arrangements of my Department. Cases represented to me by Members of this House are the residue which have either preferred this method of approach to that of the ordinary channels or have tried the latter without success. The proportion of these cases that are successful is, therefore, in the nature of things bound to be small.

Mr. Adams

Will my hon. Friend administer the existing law if he cannot amend it with a little less technical exactitude, and should not this particular law, in view of the debt which we owe to these men, be administered with the utmost possible generosity?

Mr. Ramsbotham

May I remind the hon. Gentleman and the House that the Committee of the British Legion which reported to the Prime Minister last Spring stated that the Committee was satisfied that the general principles which form the basis of the pension warrants are sound and that when reasonable evidence is produced to show that the disablement is due to war service, pension is paid under the war compensation schemes.

Mr. Adams

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that 7 per cent. is a very high percentage of successful appeals?

Mr. Ramsbotham

In the cases submitted in the ordinary way which I mentioned the percentage is 18 per cent., or one in six.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the large number of cases which are disallowed one of the chief objections raised by the Department is that it is such a long time since the War that it is hardly worth while considering it now?

Mr. Ramsbotham

That is never said. But obviously it is more difficult to get evidence 20 years after the War.

Mr. MacMillan

Is it not suggested that it is such a long time since the War that you cannot prove disability due to the War?

Mr. Ramsbotham

No, Sir.

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