§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that a note is enclosed with the Appeal Form when a discharged ex-Service man has asked leave to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal informing him that he is entitled to the assistance of an experienced member of the British Legion staff; and will he see that the applicant in each case is similarly informed that he may as an alternative or in addition have the assistance of his trade union, friendly society or approved society should he so desire and they be willing to help.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe note to which my hon. Friend refers is sent with the Notice of Hearing and not, as stated in the Question, with the Appeal Form. The practice was recently adopted because the British Legion had made arrangements for the attendance at every sitting of a Pensions Appeal Tribunal of a specially skilled representative for the gratuitous assistance of those appellants who had not taken advantage of any other form of assistance, as it was found that appellants were appearing before the Tribunals in ignorance of the arrangement which had been made. It is now proposed to issue, in addition to the note, a slip drawing attention to the fact of the existence of the help provided by trade unions, friendly societies and approved societies.
§ Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Minister of Pensions the approximate number of cases in which widows are not eligible for the payment of rent allowance under the various instruments administered by him.
§ Sir W. WomersleyApart from widows who are ineligible for rent supplement because they are childless, there are approximately 15,000 cases in which widows with children are not receiving this supplement. In the majority of these cases no claim has been made and in the others the main reasons for rejection are (1) that the rent and rates do not exceed 8s. a week and (2) that sub-letting brings the net payment below that figure.