§ 17. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that men, claiming to be ex-Servicemen, are going from house 332 to house selling articles, almost begging, stating they have been discharged as unfit for service, refused pension and are unable to work; and will he have such cases investigated as they are brought to his notice, because they are causing anxiety and worry to the relatives of serving men.
§ Sir W. WomersleyI share my hon. Friend's concern regarding these cases. I am afraid, however, that the fact that an ex-Serviceman goes from house to house selling articles does not prove that he is unfit for other work or for training under the care of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. I shall be pleased to investigate any case brought to my notice.
§ Mr. TinkerWhile I am very glad to hear that, because it is causing great concern, may I ask my right hon. Friend is he aware that I had a letter last week from a woman, whose husband is out in the East, asking me if this was the treatment meted out to ex-Servicemen. It is because I am not quite sure whether this is a genuine case or not that I asked that it should be investigated in order to prove whether this is right or wrong, and so as to give confidence to people who have sons and husbands fighting.
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am aware, from the one or two cases which I have investigated, that there was no need for the men to go hawking, but the law of the country is that if a man takes out a pedlar's licence, I have no power to stop him. The only power is by bringing public opinion to bear, and asking people not to purchase from these men.
Wing-Commander JamesIs the Minister aware that a number of men have occupied pitches in the West End for years with every appearance of being fraudulent, and cannot steps be taken to keep such people off the streets?
§ Sir Alfred BeitIs the Minister aware that a number of street musicians seem to be in the same position as those described in the Question?
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIn view of the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, does he not realise that there are men discharged from the Forces who are not, his Department declares, entitled to a pension at all because their disability was not caused or aggravated by service, that they 333 cannot get jobs anywhere and therefore turn pedlars, and that it is no use blaming them?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir, none of these cases fit into that category at all.
§ Mr. LipsonWill the right hon. Gentleman have them investigated——
§ Mr. Speaker rose.