§ 37. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that many ex-Service pensioners are being reassessed and, although their disability remains the same, their pensions are either being reduced or cancelled; and what steps he is taking to ensure that these men receive fair treatment.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingWhere disablement is liable to fluctuation the rate of pension is necessarily subject to periodic reassessment up or down according to any change in the average degree of disablement found on medical examination. Reassessment is not made without such examination, and no pension is reduced or cancelled where the disablement resulting from war service remains the same. On re-survey medical boards are required to consider equally the question whether there has been worsening due to war service or improvement in the accepted condition.
§ Mr. ShephardWhilst I am very glad to have that assurance, may I ask how many ex-Service pensioners have been reexamined during the last few months, or any other period, and how many of them have had their pensions increased?
§ Mr. PalingObviously I could not state that without notice. If the hon. Member will put down a Question I will do my best to answer it.