HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 cc1442-3
29. Major Milner

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions claims resulting from the last war which went to the appeal tribunal; and the number of such appeals which were successful?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

Out of 428,000 cases whose original claim to pension on the ground of disablement attributable to or aggravated by war service was rejected by the Ministry, 111,000, or one in four, appealed to the tribunal, and in 34,000 cases, or 8 per cent. of the rejections, the appeal was successful.

Major Milner

Does not the very large proportion of successful appeals indicate the absolute necessity for appeal tribunals to be instituted in connection with claims arising out of the present war?

Sir W. Womersley

These figures relate to the last war and cover a period of 20 odd years. The hon. and gallant Member, as a member of my Advisory Committee, knows that I am all in favour of tribunals being set up as and when it is possible to do so. It is not possible to do so at the moment, but I have already stated in the House that when the time arrives that these tribunals can be set up, they will be set up.

Major Milner

Can my right hon. Friend say why it is not possible to set them up now?

Sir W. Womersley

It would take longer than I am allowed in an answer to a Supplementary Question to state that. My hon. and gallant Friend can read my previous statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

30. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the letters, dated 25th August, 18th September and 5th October, from the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association; were the letters acknowledged; and were replies sent later to the organisation?

Sir W. Womersley

The correspondence referred to, which, I understand, raises a large number of matters of detail, is in the hands of my staff in the North-West of England, and as the Question was only put down yesterday, it has not been possible in the time to give a categorical answer. I can assure the hon. Member that a reply will be sent as soon as possible, and he will be informed.