HC Deb 01 April 1941 vol 370 cc840-1
23. Major Milner

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men invalided out of the Army on medical grounds arising otherwise than from service within one year of their enlistment for any convenient period?

Captain Margesson

I am afraid that it would not be in the national interest to disclose this information, since it might be of some value to the enemy.

Major Milner

As the matter is important and there is some dissatisfaction as to medical examinations, perhaps the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me the information in confidence?

24. Major Milner

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware of the hardship caused by men being invalided out of the Army, sometimes when still in hospital, and hence having their pay stopped before a decision on entitlement to pension has been given, leaving them without resources; and whether he will arrange for pay and allowances to continue in issue until such a decision is given, when, if it be unfavourable, the soldier will usually be entitled to sickness benefit under National Health Insurance?

Captain Margesson

Under the arrangements governing the invaliding of soldiers in war-time, the discharge of an invalid now takes effect 28 days after the date of receipt of the approved medical board proceedings by the officer in charge of records concerned, who is responsible for confirming the discharge. The period of 28 days has been fixed, after consultation with the Ministry of Pensions, as giving the Ministry sufficient time to decide whether a non-effective award to the invalid is admissible, and, if it is, to put it into issue immediately after the date of the man's discharge. In the case of a man who is ineligible for a Ministry of Pensions award, the discharge machinery ensures the commencement of any National Health Insurance benefits to which he is entitled from the date following discharge. Should a decision regarding Ministry of Pensions award not have been reached by the date of discharge, owing to some abnormal circumstance, National Health Insurance benefits are issuable from the date following discharge, the Ministry of Pensions award for the period of such issue being abated accordingly when put into effect. There should thus be no gap between the cessation of pay and allowances and the commencement of Ministry of Pensions award or National Health Insurance benefit as the case may be.

Major Milner

On what date was that Regulation brought into force? If it was brought into force recently, is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that complaint still exists and that men are discharged while still in hospital and without resources? Is it not very unsatisfactory to fix a period of 28 days when circumstances vary so much?

Captain Margesson

I think the arrangement which has been made now will ensure that there is no gap between the cessation of pay and allowances and the beginning of pensions.

Sir H. Williams

Is the decision to be retrospective, in view of cases of hardship which have arisen?