§ Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds the pension of George Widmore, late private, Northampton Regiment, No. 59606, was reduced to less than 20 per cent.; whether he is aware that Widmore was severely wounded by gunshot wound in the chest from which he has suffered ever since; that he now lies in Rotherhithe hospital suffering from encephalitis lethargica, paralysed in limb and powers of speech; and that the pension was varied without the local war pensions committee being consulted or communicated with?
§ Major TRYONThe award for the gunshot wound represents the degree of disablement found by a Medical Appeal Board last February. If disablement has since increased an application for reconsideration on that ground may be made through the local committee. The Pensions Appeal Tribunal having confirmed and thus made final the Ministry's decision in respect of the other disability, I regret that the case as regards that disability cannot be re-opened. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that local committees have no responsibility for decisions upon matters relating to assessment and entitlement, but they are officially informed of decisions arrived at.