HC Deb 03 April 1939 vol 345 cc2431-2
23. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, before inaugurating a new recruiting campaign, he will arrange for all claims for pensions of volunteers in the last War to be adjusted satisfactorily?

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)

The existing arrangements of the Ministry already provide for the consideration of all claims for pension based on disablement caused by war service and for the issue of pension wherever the claim is substantiated.

Mr. Edwards

Is not the Minister aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction in the country owing to the unsatisfactory way these awards are issued; and is it not better to deal with this matter now, as it may be prejudicial to recruiting?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I am afraid that the hon. Member is not very well informed in this matter. There is ample machinery for an adjustment such as he describes, and at the present time revised grants and allowances are being authorised at the rate of no per week in favour of the applicants.

Mr. Edwards

Is not the Minister aware that I have personally put some cases before his Department and that I have been assured by his Department that the applicants can in nowise have the benefit of the doubt?

Mr. Leonard

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been many of these claims since the War, and will he give a little more weight to the medical opinion of a private character that is put before him?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I would remind the hon. Member of what the special committee of the British Legion reported recently. They said that they were satisfied that, where reasonable evidence is produced to show that disablement is due to War service, a person is brought under the War pension scheme.

Mr. Leonard

If application is made by the British Legion, does the Department give more consideration to it than would be the case if the application came from elsewhere?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Do not the figures given by the Minister show that there is now urgent need for the review of many of these cases?

Mr. Ramsbotham

A great many cases are being reviewed.