§ 36. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many war pensioners have suffered a reduction in or lost their pensions outright in each of the last five years; what were the reasons; and what guidance is given to pensions tribunals in such cases.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs the answer includes a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate this in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The reasons were that their medical condition had improved to an extent which made them no longer eligible for pension, or for as much pension. As regards the last part of the Question, pensions appeal tribunals are independent statutory bodies 965 appointed by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, and I neither have nor ought to have, any power to give guidance to them.
§ Mr. SpriggsOught not the Minister and the Government to take into consideration that many ex-Service men returning home from military hospitals after being badly wounded can no longer follow their occupations and have to take up light duty types of employment? Will the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friends bear in mind this fact when they next consider pensions for this type of ex-Service pensioner?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWe not only have considered this but we have already in operation the allowance for lowered standard of occupation to take care of just that situation.
§ Following are the figures:
| — | (1) | (2) | (3) | |
| Pensions reduced | Pensions replaced by a final award for a limited period (included in col. (1)) | Pensions terminated as a result of improvement in the pensioned disablement | ||
| 1957 | … | 31,587 | 9,125 | 3,048 |
| 1958 | … | 27,972 | 8,218 | 2,075 |
| 1959 | … | 23,047 | 6,009 | 679 |
| 1960 | … | 11,568 | 3,011 | 218 |
| 1961 | … | 6,762 | 1,651 | 97 |