§ Dr. MORRIS-JONESasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the enforcement of Article 4 of the Royal Warrant is finally decided by non-medical clerks; that where a pensioner does not undergo treatment when so ordered, or leaves a hospital without the consent of the medical superintendent, his pension is reduced by half; that errors of final 1455W awards are errors of the Ministry and, if reopened, have no statutory rights as to any increase of pension or, in case of decease, to widows' or dependants' claims; and whether he will reconsider the procedure?
§ Mr. F. O. ROBERTSThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The power conferred by Article 4 of the Royal Warrant is exercised only when the Minister's medical advisers are satisfied that treatment, which is necessary in the pensioner's interests, has been unreasonably refused. As regards the latter part of the question, no such statutory rights as those mentioned could be created by an award made under special sanction. But this does not prevent the Ministry from dealing with any later developments on their merits, and indeed the increased award is clear evidence of its readiness to take an equitable view of unforeseen contingencies.