§ Mr. T. A. LEWISasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused among local committees by recent circulars issued by the Ministry, modifying and restricting the arrangements for dealing with cases arising under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant; and, in particular, will he consider 849W the advisability of removing the restriction upon the powers of local committees to make advances of money grants in cases of genuine and urgent need?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe system of advances by local committees to claimants under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant in anticipation of an award of pension was an emergency measure, and without warrant or statutory authority. The system involved a very heavy loss of public money, since, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, if a claim be ultimately admitted, any advance made is set off against the pension awarded, but where the claim to pension fails, recovery cannot be effected, and the sums advanced have to be written off as a loss. I am satisfied that the new procedure adequately and fairly meets all cases of urgent need where immediate medical treatment is required by a claimant to pension, and where the circumstances are such as to make it improbable that the disease was contracted in civil life after the man's demobilisation.