§ Miss Wilkinsonasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the principles governing awards of disability pensions and the scales thereof; and the reason for the reduction of approximately 30 per cent. in the scales for women members of the Forces by comparison with those laid down for men?
§ Sir W. WomersleyDisability pensions are awarded under the terms of the Royal Warrant with reference to the degree of disablement sustained in consequence of a wound, injury or disease attributable to scar service. The degree is measured in percentages within a maximum of 100 per cent. for total disablement which is represented in the case of a private by a pension of 32s. 6d. a week together, of course, with family allowances.
The rates of disablement pensions payable by my Department are broadly related to the rates of pay of the various classes and ranks, and the proportionate rates for men and women follow this general rule.
§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that a case has arisen of an ex-service man, Mr. Collins, of 45, Eustace Road, Chad-well Heath, losing his small business of garden masonry owing to the war and being unable, therefore, to live on his disablement pension, assessed on his former earning capacity, he can consider altering the ruling which does not allow such a man to be granted a revision of his pension owing to alteration in earning capacity?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIn the absence of the necessary particulars I am unable to identify the particular case. I may say, however, that under the terms of the Royal Warrant I can only take into account the extent of disablement which has been caused by war service, not by circumstances affecting the population at large.