HC Deb 25 July 1946 vol 426 cc201-2
28. Captain Baird

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will instruct pensions boards to take into consideration in granting awards the amount of incapacity caused and the fact that incapacity varies according to the employment of the pensioner.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

Under the provisions of the Royal Warrant, disablement pensions are based on the degree of disablement without taking into account wages or earning "capacity in any specific trade or occupation. As a result, most men receive a pension in addition to normal wages. To relate the assessment to employment would lead to inequalities, and would not be of general advantage to pensioners.

Captain Baird

If I cite the case of a dentist who contracted cocaine dermatitis as a result of his war service, and who is now incapacitated from following his profession, will my right hon. Friend consider it?

Mr. Paling

I cannot give an answer in regard to a specific case, but we tried to meet the position to some extent some months ago when we introduced a hardship allowance by which means a man who has a partial pension, who cannot get back into his normal employment and who has to accept lower paid employment, can receive us. 3d. a week in addition to his pension.