§ Sir O. THOMASasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Albert Llewelyn Williams, late private in the Labour Corps, No. 224867, who has lost the sight of both eyes as a direct result of the War, has had a disability pension of 100 per cent, stopped since September, 1021, owing to the inability of the ex-soldier in question to state exactly the place where he was injured and the name of the hospital behind the lines where he was taken after injury; and whether he will give instructions whereby advantage of the unconscious hours of men who fought in the War shall not be taken in order to reduce the annual cost of pensions?
§ Major TRYONI am making personal inquiries into this case.
§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions which have been reduced during the past three months and the number of cases now awaiting review?
§ Major TRYONDuring the last three months some 137,000 disablement pensions have been reviewed, of which approximately 13,000 were increased, 66,000 were renewed at the former rates, and 58,000 were reduced. The average decrease in assessment is now about 4 points in the percentage scale. All conditional or temporary awards are, as the hon. Member is aware, subject to periodic review. The average number of cases coming up for review each month is now about 45,000. With the progress of final awards the number of conditional awards which are subject to review is decreasing steadily. By the end of the present year about 200,000 final awards will have been made, thus leaving about 530,000 men in receipt of pension still on a temporary basis. It is my intention to deal with such of these latter cases as are suitable for final awards as rapidly as possible, and I have already taken special steps with that object in view.