§ 22. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Service applicants for disability pensions whose appeals against original negative decisions by his Department are allowed by the appeals tribunal are, under Article 65 of the Royal Warrant, only awarded disability pension or retired pay from the date of the appeal instead of from 193 the date on which they ceased to draw Service pay; why such applicants should be penalised for what has been held by the appeal tribunal to be an erroneous decision by his Department; and whether he will take the necessary steps to remedy this injustice.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe position is not as suggested by the hon. Member. Normally in the circumstances indicated pension would be awarded as from the date of cessation of Service pay. Where, however, representations against the Ministry decision were not made until after six months from that date, any award would usually take effect as from the date of those representations.