§ 53. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Minister of Pensions the date on which the North of Scotland War Pensions Committee last met.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Brigadier J. G. Smyth)The main Committee last met on 4th June, 1952, and there have been five meetings of sub-committees since that date.
§ Sir D. RobertsonDoes the Pensions Committee justify its existence when it only meets at such rare intervals, and is there not some responsibility on my hon. and gallant Friend's Department to see it really does the work for which it was appointed?
§ Brigadier SmythThe main Committee is very widely spread about, as my hon. Friend knows, and it meets whenever there is anything important to discuss. Very often it is better to rely on the subcommittees which are easier to assemble and can deal with local matters.
§ 54. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Minister of Pensions how many counties are included in the North of Scotland war pensions area; and what is its extent in square miles.
§ Brigadier SmythEight counties are included in the North of Scotland War Pensions Committee area which covers 11,581 square miles.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not obvious that this area, which represents at least a quarter of Scotland, is much too large 1033 an area, and does ray hon. and gallant Friend's answer to the previous Question not indicate that that is so? Will he take steps at least to divide it into two?
§ Brigadier SmythIt is, of course, a big area, but there are comparatively few pensioners living in it and only 218 badly disabled. The War Pensions Committee is, of course, helped out with voluntary workers and voluntary organisations like the British Legion and the British Red Cross. Generally speaking, we do not have any complaints about the service.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the hon and gallant Gentleman name the counties concerned?
§ Brigadier SmythI have them here. The counties are Caithness, Inverness, Moray, Nairn, Orkney, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Shetland.