HC Deb 25 March 1943 vol 387 cc1763-5
57. Major Lyons

asked the Minister of Pensions in how many cases, to the latest convenient date, have ex-Service men who have been refused pensions been referred to an independent medical expert; in how many of those cases have medical examinations been made by that expert; and in how many cases has the decision of the Minister been reversed and awards made in favour of the appellants?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

The total number of cases of all categories of the present war referred to an independent medical expert is 238 of which 78 have been admitted to pension. These figures include III cases of disabled ex-Service men in which pension had been refused and of these 40 were accepted. The expert decided to examine the man in II cases.

Major Lyons

In view of that extraordinary disclosure that only 11 medical examinations have taken place, may I ask the Minister whether in those cases where, on attestation, it was distinctly stated that the man was not suffering from a complaint for which he was subsequently discharged, he will review the whole of the outstanding cases and give a medical examination in every case instead of the window dressing which we know now takes place?

Sir W. Womersley

I review these cases myself, and in the cases I have stated I have sent them without any appeal from the men at all to the independent medical expert. I think that is the best way of dealing with them, and I cannot agree with my hon. and gallant Friend as to reviewing the whole of these cases. Certainly, I shall take note of any cases brought to my notice either by Members of Parliament, the British Legion, or my own war pensions committees, who are at this moment investigating all the cases in their particular areas.

Major Lyons

Will the Minister be good enough to reply to the point I made that in those cases where on attestation, on the attestation paper itself, it is clearly stated that the man is not suffering from the complaint which is the basis of his discharge some two years later, the Minister should go into these special cases and see whether he can put an end to the criticisms?

Sir W. Womersley

I have said that I am going into all the cases which are brought to my notice and that my war pensions committees are investigating all the cases in their own areas. That covers all the cases in the United Kingdom.

58. Major Lyons

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the number of soldiers enlisted as grade I who have been discharged as medically unfit for any further service and have been refused pensions; and the number of such who have served over one year, over 18 months and over two years, respectively, prior to date of discharge?

Sir W. Womersley

It is not in the public interest to give figures indicating the number of discharges from the Forces. Apart from this the detailed information desired by the hon. Member could only be made available by a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

Major Lyons

While the Minister does not want to disclose the number of men he has turned out without a pension in their disability, will he consider taking some steps to review every such case where the man has been in the Army for any length of time at all as A1 and then discharged as medically unfit, leaving his wife and dependants to public charity?

Hon. Members

Answer.