HC Deb 28 March 1923 vol 162 c530W
Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Attorney-General if, in view of the complaints with the decisions of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals, he is prepared to appoint a special committee to inquire into the procedure and method of arriving at decisions of those tribunals, such committee to be comprised of representatives of the various ex-service men's associations, of the trade unions, and of the Ministry of Pensions, so that it may command the confidence of the working class?

Colonel GIBBS

No complaints have reached me of the procedure of Pensions Appeal Tribunals. The procedure is regulated by rules made by the Lord Chancellor under the Statute. He will at any time be ready to consider any recommendations that may be made for its improvement. The methods are the same as those adopted by all tribunals in this country which have to arrive at conclusions of fact, and it does not appear to me that any inquiry into those methods is necessary. I do not accept the suggestion that there is any general complaint against the decisions. The fact that an unsuccessful appellant expresses dissatisfaction cannot be accepted as evidence that a decision is unjust, and the British Legion have, on more than one occasion, indicated the confidence of themselves and those whom they represent in the tribunals.