§ 18. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will review applications he receives for a war ex-service man's pension or from the widows of ex-service men on a more generous basis and in a more sympathetic manner than in the past?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)Although I have only recently assumed office as Minister of Pensions, I have already examined the facts in a large number of cases, and I am satisfied that no claim fails for want of fair and sympathetic handling by my Department, which is always ready to assist in the collection of evidence to support a claim.
§ Mr. SmithWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of calling together the Standing Joint Committee or a committee of Members of this House to consider the question?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am giving full consideration, and very sympathetic consideration, to every case that comes before my Ministry. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to discuss it with him in my room after questions.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that if there is any doubt at all, it goes against the applicant?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThat is not so.
§ 19. Mr. E. Smithasked the Minister of Pensions whether consideration has been given to the findings of the investigation conducted into the position of ex-service men disabled or incapacitated through war service by the British Legion, and the report issued in 1938; and what action has been taken or is contemplated?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 18th April last by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Sir W. WomersleyI certainly do.
§ 20. Mr. Smithasked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered a copy of a resolution from the Ramsgate branch of the British Legion, supported by many other branches, dealing with the need to improve the position of ex- service war-disabled men; and what action it is proposed to take?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI have seen a copy of the resolution referred to. The proposals contained in it would involve radical departures from the scheme approved by Parliament for dealing with the effects of war injury. They must, therefore, of necessity, be most carefully considered by all Departments concerned before any action could be recommended to Parliament. I may add that my Department is in close touch with the British Legion.
§ 21. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Pensions the number of applications for pensions made by disabled soldiers and the widows of disabled soldiers during 1938, and the amount granted; and in how many cases application was made for an increase of pension, and the number of such increased pensions?
§ Sir W. WomersleyDuring the year ended 31st December, 1938, 2,331 applications for pension were received from disabled men and 1,824 from widows of ex-service men. The approximate annual value of the pensions which it was found possible to grant was £36,000. As regards the second paragraph of the question, the records of my Department do not enable me to give the number of applications for increase of pensions, but during the year in question pensions were increased in about 1,300 cases.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that in the case of ex-soldiers who have suffered from disease or wounds and whose earning capacity has been impaired as a result of their condition and their age, all those factors are being taken into account?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am quite satisfied that those factors have been borne in mind, and I want also to inform my hon. Friend that I shall never be satisfied.
§ Mr. LawsonMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that this is a serious subject?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI realise that.