§ 11. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Pensions what were the special circumstances attending the appeal of Mrs. Gillibrand for a pension in respect of the death of her husband, Brigadier Gillibrand, which induced him to reverse his original decision and grant the pension and the appropriate allowances.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Blenkinsop)My right hon. Friend gave very careful consideration to the observations made by the learned judge when remitting Mrs. Gillibrand's case to a pensions appeal tribunal for re-hearing and came to the conclusion that it was desirable to spare her the necessity of further litigation. In all the circumstances he decided that a pension ought to be awarded.
§ Sir T. MooreWhile I welcome this typically humane decision, surely it does not mean that both publicity and pertinacity are required to achieve justice?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopNo, Sir, certainly not. It means that it is possible to consider this case and any comparable cases, in a new light due to the words of the learned judge.