§ Mr. EGANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that there is insufficient connection between War pensions committees and the Ministry; and what steps he is taking in the matter?
Mr. MUIRMy right hon. Friend has recently had under consideration the necessity for a more systematic connection between War pensions committees and the Ministry, more especially as regards the expression of the collective opinion of War pensions committees upon pensions questions. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular recently issued to War pensions committees, setting out the main lines of a scheme for Advisory Councils upon which each War pensions committee will be represented. Before finally deciding upon the details of the new arrangements, my right hon. Friend proposes to hold conferences at certain large centres at which he will meet representatives of War pensions committees with a view to discussing the details of the scheme with them.
§ Captain RAMAGEasked the Minister of Pensions what was the total cost of administration of war pensions for the year ended 31st March, 1924; and what was the total number of persons employed in the administration thereof for the same period?
Mr. ROBERTSThe approximate cost of administration (including medical services) for the year ended 31st March. 1924, was £3,442,000. The average total number of staff employed during the year was 21,380.