HC Deb 11 May 1948 vol 450 cc1934-5
7. Sir Ian Fraser

asked the Minister of Pensions, what steps he is taking to remedy the omission from the present Royal Warrants and Orders in Council of the conditions governing the award of pensions for accidents sustained whilst on leave as detailed in Command Paper No. 6459; and what steps he proposes to take with regard to past cases considered by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and the Judge of the High Court.

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Buchanan)

I see no reason for amending the entitlement provisions of the Royal Warrant governing accidents sustained on leave. I am aware that the High Court held in 1947 that certain accidental injuries suffered on leave due to handling service firearms are attributable to war service and the entitlement principles laid down by the learned judge for this class of case have since been followed. I am not aware of any past cases in which the High Court judgment in question has not been followed, but I am of course prepared to look into any such cases if they are brought to my notice.

Sir I. Fraser

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a previous Government published a White Paper in which they undertook that walking out cases, short leave cases and men going from billets to barracks would be considered to be on duty? Is he aware that neither that Government nor this Government have implemented those extensions?

Mr. Buchanan

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am governed by the Royal Warrant. I have carried out the learned judge's decision which extends the warrant. I do not propose to alter it in any way, but if the hon. Gentleman can bring any information which may call for a further extension, I will gladly look into it.