HC Deb 26 February 1942 vol 378 cc334-5
25. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Minister of Pensions whether steps are now being taken, or are likely to be taken, to include sufferers from shell-shock or psycho-neurosis, invalided out of the Services, in the Service pension system?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

Provision is made by my Department for the treatment in special neurological centres under the Emergency Medical Service of the Ministry of Health of men discharged from the Services suffering from a condition of neurosis provided they are likely to benefit by such treatment. This treatment is granted whether the condition is attributable to war service or not. If the condition is accepted by the Ministry as attributable to service and disablement cannot be removed by treatment pension is awarded.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does the Ministry of Pensions adopt the same system in respect of ex-Service men who are certified as lunatics?

Sir W. Womersley

I should require notice of that Question.

26. Mr. David Adams

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount paid in pensions and allowances during the years 1939, 1940 and 1941, respectively?

Sir W. Womersley

The expenditure by my Department on pensions and allowances, including war service grants, for the financial years 1939–40 and 1940–41 amounted to £36,920,000 and £40,560,000 respectively. As regards the financial year 1941–42 the expenditure was £34,510,000 for the nine months ended 31st December last.

27. Major Milner

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give comparative figures for great war and present war pensions to privates with 100 per cent. disablement, including allowances for wives and children, and to the widows of privates killed, with the allowances for their children; and whether he will show in the table the cost of living figures on which both sets of rates are based?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Paling)

As the reply to this Question includes a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Major Milner

While I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, would he say whether it is not a fact that present war pensions are less than those paid in respect of the last war?

Mr. Paling

They are based on the cost of living figures.

Major Milner

Is it not a fact that they are less than those paid in the last war?

Mr. Paling

Yes, Sir.

Following is the reply:

Great War Warrant—1919. Present War Cmd.
Cost of living figure 215 200
s. d. s. d.
Private disabled 100℅ 40 0 37 6
Allowance for wife 10 0 9 2
Allowance for wife 1st child 7 6 7 1
Allowance for wife each other child 6 0 5 5
Pension to Private's widow with children 26 8 25 0
Allowance for 1st child 10 0 9 6
Allowance for wife 2nd child 7 6 7 0
Allowance for wife each other child 6 0 5 6