HC Deb 12 June 1928 vol 218 cc829-30W
Mr. ROBINSON

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will issue life pensions at the current rate to all pensioners in receipt of an award for 12 months and until further instructions who have not made an application for treatment since the issue of the award?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

I agree with the hon. Member as to the desirability of making final awards in all cases as early as possible, but it would not be justifiable, nor would it be in the interests of pensioners, that such awards should be made on the lines suggested by the hon. Member without proper medical consideration of the individual cases.

Mr. ROBINSON

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will advertise in daily newspapers throughout the country that 30th September, 1928, is the last day on which claims to pension in respect of disabilities due to service in the Great War may be made or, alternatively, if he will submit proposals to amend the War Pension Act, 1921, and abolish the seven-year limit in which a claim to pension must be made?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

The fullest publicity possible as to the operation of the statutory time limit has been given by my right hon. Friend and his predecessors, by the exhibition of posters in all post offices and in other public buildings and in all the local offices of the Ministry, and the further advertisement suggested in the first part of the question would not, I think, be of any advantage. May I remind the hon. Member that the time limit referred to expires seven years after discharge from service, and in any event not later than 31st August next—not 30th September as suggested in the question. Its operation, which commenced in 1921, has therefore been gradual and, for the majority of ex-Service men, expired in 7026. With regard to the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the decision of the Government with regard to legislation on this point, together with a statement as to the arrangements, which my right hon. Friend has been enabled to make to deal with exceptional cases arising beyond the time limit, was conveyed by the Prime Minister in his answer to the hon. and gallant Member for the Fairfield Division on 19th November, 1925, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Subsequent experience has disclosed no grounds which would justify him in recommending that that decision should be reconsidered.