§ Mr. T. A. LEWISasked the Minister of Pensions whether the Ministry can see its way to lay down the principle that any man who, entering the Army in sound 948W health, is discharged in impaired health shall have his invalidity automatically attributed to military service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not prepared to accept this suggestion. Each case is considered on its merits in the light of all available evidence; and if a claim to pension is rejected by my Department on the ground that the disability is not due to service, the man has a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.
§ Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Pensions whether the present flat rate disability pension of £2 for a disabled man and 26s. 8d. for a War widow was fixed when the cost of the living figure was 115; is he aware of the consequent injustice and hardship which are now prevailing; and will he cause the flat rate to be increased so that it may bear the corresponding relation to the present cost-of-living figure?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Paddington (Mr. Perring) on the 1st November, of which I am sending him a copy.