HC Deb 29 June 1964 vol 697 cc929-30
27. Mr. L. M. Lever

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will give the terms of reference of the Committee on Assessments which he announced recently.

Mr. Wood

As the terms contain detailed references to the existing provisions, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I explained the effect of these terms of reference in answer to Questions on 22nd June.

Mr. L. M. Lever

How long will it be before the Committee is constituted and gets down to the urgent work on behalf of limbless ex-Service men?

Mr. Wood

I am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Gentleman a specific time. I shall certainly get on with the composition of this Committee as quickly as possible and I hope that thereafter the Committee will be able to start work without delay.

Dr. King

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that limbless ex-Service men in particular welcome his initiative in this new scientific approach to the measurement of disablement? Will he consider including on this expert Com mittee one limbless ex-Service man, who could contribute to the work of the scientific investigators his own life's experience of disability?

Mr. Wood

I appreciate the force of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, but it is not only limbless ex-Service men who understand these problems.

Following is the information:

Terms of Reference To examine Schedule 1 and Schedule 3, Table 1, to the Royal Warrant of 24th May, 1949 (Cmnd. 7699) and Schedule 2 to the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Benefit) Regulations 1964 (S.I. 1964 No. 504) which relate to the assessment of certain disablements, and
  1. (i) to consider, in the light of any relevant developments since 1948, whether any, and if so what, modification in the lists of specified disablements, or variation in the assessments of such disablements is desirable; and
  2. (ii) to consider whether there is any case for special provision by way of supplementary compensation confined to disablement due to amputation, either generally or in relation to advancing age;
and to report.
Back to