§ 22. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Prime Minister whether he will move to appoint a Select Committee to investigate the Royal Warrant for the Retired Pay and Pensions, etc., Command Paper 6205, the administration of the Ministry of Pensions, giving the committee power to receive evidence from organisations, ex-service men, widows, applicants for pensions, and to send for persons, papers and records?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)The Royal Warrant which was issued so recently as June last was the result of a detailed examination of the existing Warrant carried out by the Minister of Pensions in consultation with his statutory Advisory Committee. The Committee was reconstituted for the purpose and was composed of representatives of the British Legion and War Pensions 149 Committees, together with seven members of this House nominated by the Whips of the three political parties. The Committee's proposals were substantially accepted by the Government, and are embodied in the new Warrant. In the circumstances I see no grounds for appointing a Select Committee.
§ Mr. SmithWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that that answer is not satisfactory, but that in view of the present situation it is not opportune to press the matter, although we shall return to it at a later date?