§ 44. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Social Security whether she is aware that Mr. W. R. Walker of Huntingdon, who received injuries from gunshot of the right arm and the scalp in the First World War while on active service and was badly gassed, has received only a lump sum interim payment of £220 12s., and that his condition has worsened with age; and whether she will take steps to have the case reopened with a view to ensuring that Mr. Walker receives the pension to which he is entitled and back-payments thereof.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Social Security (Mr. Charles Loughlin)Mr. Walker was 31 examined again as recently as 12th January. The injuries to his scalp and right arm, which were found to be causing no disablement on his discharge, are still assessed at less than 20 per cent. Compensation for this degree of disablement is paid by way of a gratuity, not a pension, and no question of arrears arises. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that Mr. Walker's chest trouble, for which he first claimed in 1964, is unrelated to gassing or any other factor of his 1914 war service.
§ Sir D. RentonDoes it not appear that this gentleman is being penalised because he waited till he was advanced in years and found that the injuries had caused him a great deal of trouble before making a claim? Will the hon. Gentleman consider the matter afresh, and very sympathetically?
§ Mr. LoughlinWe are always willing sympathetically to consider any claim for war pension. I do not accept a word that the right hon. and learned Gentleman said. It is very difficult to discuss these problems across the Floor at Question Time. As he knows, I am always available to Members, and I shall discuss it with him if he so desires.