HC Deb 18 February 1943 vol 386 cc1933-4
42. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions have been granted to discharged soldiers suffering from neurosis; and whether he has any record of the total number of cases of this nature amongst discharged ex-Service men?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to furnish the figures asked for by the hon. Member. It may interest the hon. Member to know that a very substantial majority of members invalided from the Forces on account of neurosis did not serve overseas.

Mr. Bellenger

Does the Minister recognise that this is a serious disability, arising, if not directly out of the war, during war-time, and is not the House entitled to some information on which it can come to a really informed opinion?

Sir W. Womersley

I have a committee of experts presided over by Lord Horder which advises me on nervous troubles, and I am acting in accordance with their advice.

Mr. S. O. Davies

Are we to understand that it is laid down that any soldier suffering from neurosis, and who has not been overseas, will not be entitled to a pension?

Mr. Brown

No. Sir.

57. Mr. Mathers

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will provide adequate maintenance allowances for the dependants of men discharged from the Armed Forces suffering from psycho- neurosis in order that they may be able to undergo a period of treatment to make them fit for normal employment?

Sir W. Womersley

Provision has already been made for the maintenance of dependants of members of the Armed Forces who, on discharge, are in need of institutional treatment for psycho-neurosis before they are likely to be fit to resume normal employment, and I believe this provision to be adequate.

Mr. Mathers

Does not the Minister acknowledge that £1 a week to keep a home is inadequate because of the many commitments which these men have and that the worry which this causes to the men undergoing this treatment adds to the distress of mind that afflicts them?

Sir W. Womersley

I have a long list, too long to read out, of the allowances that are made, and I think the hon. Member would be wise if he looked at this list, from which he would find that the rate is not quite as low as he suggests.

Mr. Mathers

That is the rate that has been offered to a poor fellow whom I know.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

If the right hon. Gentleman has a list of the grants made, why has he not information about the number of persons who have been discharged for neurosis? Why cannot he give that information?

Sir W. Womersley

The answer is very simple. In one case it is not in the public interest to publish figures of discharges from the Army, and in the other case it is in the public interest to know what the allowances are.

Mr. Walkden

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the percentages?

Mr. Stephen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is disapproval in the House of his administration of the Ministry of Pensions?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first step in the treatment of these cases is to remove anxiety?

Sir W. Womersley

Surely, the hon. Lady will agree that the best way is to consult the greatest specialists in the land, under the chairmanship of Lord Horder, and not to consult a general practitioner.