HC Deb 08 April 1941 vol 370 cc1415-8
64. Major Sir Edward Cadogan

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is competent for widows or dependants of those who have died on active service, and whose death has been attributed to causes other than active service, to make any appeal from the decision of the Army medical authorities in such cases?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

The question whether a death is attributable to service in the Armed Forces for pension purposes is a matter for my Department. I am always prepared to consider carefully an appeal against an adverse decision on the production of fresh evidence or a reasoned statement of the grounds of appeal, and in all cases of serious doubt or difficulty I have the benefit of the judgment of independent medical experts

Sir E. Cadogan

In view of the many doubtful cases arising out of the existing regulations, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter with a view to establishing the presumption that all cases of death on active service are due to active service?

Sir W. Womersley

That is a matter which I am going to discuss very shortly with my Advisory Committee.

Major Milner

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is the greatest possible necessity for the early establishment of independent appeal tribunals?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir, not during the war period.

65. Sir A. Southby

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that whereas in the case of a civilian killed through the destruction of his house by enemy bombing, a grant of £7 10s. is payable by the Ministry to the local council to cover the expenses of the funeral, no grant is paid to the relatives should they carry out the funeral themselves; and whether in such cases he will take steps to empower local councils to pay over the £7 10s. to the relatives?

Sir W. Womersley

Under arrangements made by the Ministry of Health with local authorities, the position is that if a civilian is killed in consequence of war operations, it is open to the relatives or friends to claim the body and arrange for burial. But if they do not do so the Council of the County Borough or County District will themselves arrange for interment and the cost will be borne by public funds and will not fall on the relative or friends. Where the funeral is arranged privately a funeral grant not exceeding £7 10s. is payable by my Department in respect of civil defence volunteers killed on duty. A similar grant may also be paid to the widow of a gainfully occupied person or to a wholly dependent relative maintained in his home.

Sir A. Southby

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that this discrimination is rather unfair to the ordinary civilian killed as a result of enemy action, and would it not be only an act of justice to allow to any individual who prefers to bury a relative that sum of £7 10s. which would otherwise be paid to the local authority if the latter carried out the interment, since many people feel that a burial carried out by the local authority is somewhat in the nature of pauperism?

Sir W. Womersley

This matter has been very carefully considered, not only by myself, but by the War Cabinet, before decisions were arrived at, and I cannot go back on the announcement made in December last by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Maclean

In view of the fact that a very large number of civilians have been killed in these areas and are suffering death from enemy action, is it not unfair that on the one hand, if they are in the service of the local authority in war work or are gainfully employed, their relatives can get a grant, but if they are mere civilians the relatives cannot get anything?

Sir W. Womersley

I think the hon. Member had better let me send him particulars as to how these grants are really made.

66. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the decision to substitute Royal Army Medical Corps personnel for civilian medical personnel for the examination of volunteers for the Auxiliary Territorial Service, he will give an assurance that a certificate of physical fitness to serve will be accepted as final in cases where pension issues are in volved?

Sir W. Womersley

The fact that medical examination is carried out by one class of doctor rather than another would not in itself be a reason for giving such an assurance in advance in the case of Auxiliary forces, any more than in the case of any other branches of the Service.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that in no circumstances are the War Office ever wrong, would my right hon. Friend protect civilians against the authority of the War Office?

Sir W. Womersley

I am always and constantly defending civilians against all Government Departments.

67. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Pensions the reason for differentiation between men serving in the Forces and nurses serving in the Forces as regards assistance for meeting financial liabilities for the maintenance of superannuation benefits?

Sir W. Womersley

I am able, on the recommendation of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, to make a grant in any case either of a man or of a woman member of the Forces where serious hardship, arising from the fact of war service, is shown. Any question as to contributions towards a particular scheme of civil superannuation, applicable to all persons in a given class, would not be a matter for my Department.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that I put this Question down to the Secretary for War, and that it was transferred, will my right hon. Friend say whether nurses in the Armed Forces of the Crown were circulated about their rights under the scheme?

Sir W. Womersley

When the cases come before the Committee for which I am responsible they receive the most sympathetic consideration. To that, the hon. Lady can testify.

Miss Ward

May I ask whether the nurses in the Armed Forces of the Crown were circulated about their rights?