HC Deb 26 October 1944 vol 404 cc325-7
10. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will reconsider the cases of those persons to whom 100 per cent. disability pensions have been granted but who since the award have been further seriously injured through war operations; and whether in such cases either a lump sum will be paid or supplementary pensions added to the existing pension.

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

I regret that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I would remind him that provision already exists whereby a supplementary allowance may be granted to a war pensioner whose disablement is so serious as to render him unemployable.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in fact there are cases of severely injured men and women who, having received pensions, are later on severely injured again? Does he not think that in those cases, very sympathetic consideration should be paid to the possibility of giving them an extra grant?

Sir W. Womersley

Very sympathetic consideration is given to all these cases. I have already said that a supplementary allowance can be made, if the person is unemployable.

Mr. Foster

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in regard to such a case, when a man becomes unemployable?

Sir W. Womersley

Yes, we have a very good test of that.

11. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the complaints made at a meeting of the Brecon, Radnor and West Glamorgan War Pensions Committee alleging that serious hardship was being caused by ex-Service men having to wait a long period before their cases are heard by a pensions tribunal and of men and their dependants having to seek public assistance whilst waiting for a decision in their cases; and if he will make a statement on the position.

Sir W. Womersley

Yes, Sir. As I have previously explained, it was realised when independent appeals tribunals were set up in war-time that general man-power difficulties would cause some delay in the hearing of appeals. Priority is, however, given to the more urgent cases, and if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular case of this nature I shall be glad to receive particulars.

Mr. Griffiths

Has the Minister given consideration to the complaints made at the meeting referred to in the Question, at which it was stated that there was a very large number of cases, very hard cases indeed, which had been waiting for months? Can he do something to expedite the hearing of these cases? There has been much public comment about the delay.

Sir W. Womersley

I announced during the passage of the tribunals Measure through this House that there would be delay in setting up tribunals. I never promised we should get on with them as quickly as I and other hon. Members desired. I warned the House of that. Wherever there is any complaint from a committee such as this, I, at once, investigate it. A general statement that there is a large number of cases is not enough. I want particulars of them.

Mr. Griffiths

May I point out that this is a committee of the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry? They had details of these cases. Do I gather that these details are not available at the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry?

Sir W. Womersley

If the hon. Member will supply the details I will look into them at once.

13. Sir J. Lucas

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the amendment of the Royal Warrant to provide for payment of allowances to wives of disabled ex-Servicemen, married after disablement, in cases where there was a definite contract to marry before disablement and exigencies of service prevented the fulfilment of the contract before disablement.

Sir W. Womersley

My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would not, in my view, afford a practicable or fair basis for the consideration of wife's allowance, and I would not feel justified in recommending its adoption.

Sir J. Lucas

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have a case of a man whose marriage banns were published, who was wounded and taken prisoner, with a very high rate of disability, and who, therefore, could not get married, although he has no one to look after him, because if he were married, his wife could not get a marriage allowance?

Sir W. Womersley

If the man wants someone to look after him, he can get a constant attendance allowance.

Mr. Thorne

Is the Minister aware that if he brought in an amendment to the Warrant, he would receive the hearty congratulations of every Member of this House?

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