§ Q6. Mr. Priorasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to transfer responsibility for the disablement and health requirements of war pensioners from the Minister of Health to the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, in view of the opinions of ex-Service men on this subject.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think that the disablement and health requirements of war pensioners can best be met by the Health Departments which are providing similar services to the community as a whole.
§ Mr. PriorWhile recognising the good work being done in aid of war pensioners, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will ask his Secretary to have a look at this again in view of the considerable feeling of opinion among war disabled that some of the tasks which they require undertaken with regard to health are taking rather a long while to fulfil?
§ The Prime MinisterIf my hon. Friend has any particular complaints in mind, I shall be very glad to look into them. The authorities try to help the war pensioners as far as they can. For instance, disabled and limbless war pensioners are issued with motor cars.
§ Dr. KingIs the Prime Minister aware that the fears of the ex-Service men which arose when responsibility for looking after them was transferred to the Ministry of Health some years ago have largely proved unfounded? The work of the Ministry of Health is appreciated by the ex-Service men, but there is still a shortage of local centres to which disabled men can go for artificial limb fittings and things like that.
§ The Prime MinisterI think that generally there is satisfaction with this service, but if there are any weaknesses we will certainly look into them.