§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the hardship arising from the reduction by Regional Boards and directors of the percentage of disability after the actual payment of higher percentage rates authorised by Local Pension Committees and the consequent repayments demanded from disabled ex-service men; and whether he will issue an order that rates of payment authorised by Local Pensions Committees 1761W stand until reviewed by higher authority, and if reduced by the latter the reduced rate is only to become operative from the date of the higher authority's decision?
§ Major TRYONThe arrangement by which medical referees are in certain limited classes of cases allowed to assess disability provisionally in advance of medical examination by a full Medical Board was made in the interests of the men to meet exceptional eases of emergency where hardship might have been caused if the man had had to wait for a board. The main function of medical referees is, however, not assessment for pension purposes, but the determination of the need of medical treatment, and it is fully understood by all concerned that any advance given provisionally by a local committee on a referee's finding is liable to adjustment on examination by a properly constituted board. My right hon. Friend regrets therefore that he is unable to adopt the suggestion made in the latter part of the question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HURSTasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the provisional pension payable under Article 9 (Royal Warrant) to J. Parker, 9, Waterloo Grove, Manchester (Z 8,678/B.D.M. 1,851), was discontinued last August pending a decision by the Regional Director, and that this ex-soldier is now unable to work owing to dysentery; and whether he will expedite the decision in question?
§ Major TRYONI regret that in the short time available it has not been possible to ascertain the full facts of this case, but I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.