HC Deb 18 April 1939 vol 346 cc165-6
46. Mr. E. Smith

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to receiving evidence from branches of the British Legion and other ex-service men's organisations, he will now move to appoint a select committee to investigate the position of disabled ex-service men and the administration of the Ministry of Pensions, with particular reference to War pensions and applications for War service pensions, giving them the usual powers to send for persons, papers, and records?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I would remind the hon. Member that I received a year ago representations from the British Legion as the result of a special inquiry made by them. I replied very fully to the Legion on all the points raised by them, and intimated that I saw no case for the appointment by the Government of a committee of inquiry. Both the Legion's representations and my reply were published in a White Paper issued in May last, and subsequently debated in the House on 3rd June. Nothing that has occurred since has led me to revise my earlier view.