Mr. T. MORRISasked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the number of alternative pensions now in existence; whether such pensions are still being granted; and, if so, how many 1418W have been granted during the last twelve months?
Mr. HUDSONThe total number of awards of alternative pension now in payment is approximately 44,000. The date for proving new claims to alternative pensions expired some years ago.
§ Mr. GIBBINSasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of ex-service men who are receiving treatment by the Ministry of Pensions hospitals without receiving treatment allowances?
Mr. HUDSONI regret that statistics, such as the hon. Member requests, are not regularly collected. I am, however, satisfied from the reports I have received, that every case in which a loss of wages or profits has been sustained by a man who was employed before admission to hospital, or in which a corresponding loss of benefit or grant in respect of unemployment was necessitated by such admission, should now with the aid of the Supplementary Grant Scheme which I announced in the House on the 22nd October last, be substantially met by the grant of allowances of whatever kind may be appropriate to the case. If the hon. Member has the case of any particular patient in mind, perhaps he will let me know, when inquiry will at once be made.