HC Deb 07 November 1939 vol 353 cc51-2W
Sir E. Makins

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now reconstituted his central advisory committee; if so, whether he will give the names of the members who have been appointed by him; and the date when the committee is likely to meet?

Sir W. Womersley

Yes, Sir. I have, as I undertook to do, now reconstituted the membership of my Statutory Advisory Committee. Following is the personnel of the committee. The committee will hold its first meeting with me to-morrow.

Representatives of War Pensions Committees.

  • N. J. Wilding Cole, Esq., M.B.E.
  • Lieut.-Colonel F. J. F. Edlmann, D.S.O., J.P.
  • Miss E. H. Kelly, C.B.E., J.P.
  • T. L. D. Porter, Esq., M.B.E., B.A., B.Sc, A.K.C., F.G.S.

Ex-Service Representatives.

  • Sir J. Smedley Crooke, J.P., M.P.
  • Major Sir Cyril Entwistle, K.C., M.C., M.P.
  • Sir Henry Fildes, M.P.
  • Brigadier-General E. R. Fitzpatrick, C.B.E., D.S.O., D.L.
  • F. Kingsley Griffith, Esq., M.C., M.P.
  • Major J. Milner, M.C., T.D., LL.B., M.P.
  • S. E. Perry, Esq.
  • Miss Eleanor Rathbone, M.A., LL.D., M.P.
  • W. Scott-Evans, Esq.
  • J. J. Tinker, Esq., M.P.
  • A. G. Webb, Esq., M.B.E.

Official Members.

  • Sir Adair Hore, K.B.E., C.B.
  • A. Cunnison, Esq., C.B., J.P.
  • Lieut.-Colonel A. P. Heneage, D.S.O., M.P.
  • L. J. Leek, Esq., a Chief Regional Officer.

Mr. Parker

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Government will consider a revision of disablement benefits in view of the rise in the cost of living?

Sir W. Womersley

If, as I assume, this question relates to pensions for war disablement, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on this subject in the course of his reply to a question on 12th October. Any revision of the kind contemplated would, of course, have to be based on the experience of a reasonable period.

Mr. Leach

asked the Minister of Pensions what compensation has been paid to the relatives of Serjeant Archie Mitchell of the 14th Brigade, Royal Artillery, who died on 9th September from anaphylactic shock produced by inoculation, and of Victor Smith, of Aston Road, Leeds, who died of vaccinal encephalitis from vaccination, whilst on Army service on 5th October?

Sir W. Womersley

No application for compensation has yet been received from Mrs. Mitchell, but the case has been under consideration by my Department and a form of application has already been sent to her last known address. On its return I will at once have further attention given to the question of her eligibility for pension under the Royal Warrant. I am making inquiries into the other case referred to by the hon. Member and I will write to him as soon as possible.