§ Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will take steps to extend pensions for disability from the date of application to the date from which the applicant is unable to earn the standard rate for the job because of his disability.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI assume that the hon. Member has in mind the award of war disablement pensions from a date before the date of application. In cases where a man is invalided from the Forces his entitlement to pension is considered automatically. Where however the claim for the disability is made at a later date, payment cannot be made earlier than the date of the claim unless there are circumstances which justify exceptional treatment. These arrangements have operated since 1920, and I think have operated fairly.