§ Mr. JOHNasked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he is aware that a large proportion of ex-service men among the applicants for the Poor Law relief are compelled to come upon the local rates owing to their pensions being insufficient to maintain them; if he can say what is proposed to be done to remedy this state of affairs;
(2) whether he is aware that the partially disabled ex-service man is doubly handicapped in an overcrowded labour market by reason of his disability arising from war service; and is he prepared to recommend that a full disability 624W pension should be granted to all disabled ex-service men while they are unemployed?
§ Major TRYONI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. G. Barker) on the 9th instant.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Health whether he has any figures as to the extent aril cost of Poor Law relief to disabled ex-service men who come upon the local rates because their pensions are insufficient; whether, in conjunction with the Ministry of Pensions, any calculation has been made as to the relative cost of giving these men full disability pensions, allowing for any savings which may accrue through simplification of accounting; and if he can give the approximate figures?
§ Sir A. MONDI have no information as to the number of ex-service men who are in receipt of both disability pensions and Poor Law relief, and there are no figures available upon which to base any such calculation as that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. I understand, however, that so far from any saving being effected by the suggestion, the cost would be substantially greater.