HC Deb 31 July 1951 vol 491 cc1170-1
21. Lieut.-Commander R. H. Thompson

asked the Minister of Pensions when Mr. John Touhey, 100 per cent. disabled ex-Service man, 6, Benson Road, Waddon, Croydon, may expect delivery of a folding wheeled chair to replace the unsuitable one supplied on 9th December, 1950.

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Isaacs)

It was very difficult to provide a wheelchair suitable for Mr. Touhey owing to his inability to use a standard model, but after he had been visited by one of my technical officers a chair was specially made. It was despatched to Mr. Touhey by the manufacturers on 27th July.

Lieut.-Commander Thompson

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to ensure that the unsuitable chair which has been lying in Mr. Touhey's house since the first week in December last year is collected, because it is in every way new and a suitable chair for presentation to some other ex-Service man?

Mr. Isaacs

The hon. and gallant Gentleman may rest assured that we shall collect that chair and make use of it for somebody who really needs it.

23. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds he has refused a pension for the widow of 2nd Engineer William Dunlop, who was presumed drowned as from 26th March, 1942, from ss. "Queen Mary," of whose case he already has details and correspondence.

Mr. Isaacs

I regret that I am unable to award a pension to this lady, having regard to the provisions of the War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act, 1942. Mrs. Dunlop has been notified that she has a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against my decision.

Mr. Crouch

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that justice has been done to this lady, who lost her husband in 1942 when serving this country in taking troops through the Pacific Ocean; and if this man had been a member of the Royal Navy and had lost his life in similar circumstances, would his widow have been deprived of a pension?

Mr. Isaacs

I have already given the hon. Gentleman full particulars in answer to his inquiry, setting out the full facts. I cannot add to that. I can add, however, that I think this lady is entitled to every sympathy, but I am bound by the Act of Parliament, and I hope that whatever assistance we can give to her to take the case to appeal will readily be given.

Mr. Nigel Fisher

Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that this man was not serving his country and was not on war service at the time of his death?

Mr. Isaacs

It is quite improper for the hon. Gentleman to read any such suggestion into what I have said. I said nothing of the sort. I said that we have every sympathy with her.

Mr. Fisher

Why not give her a pension?

Mr. Isaacs

Because she is not entitled to it.

Mr. Fisher

Grossly unfair.