HC Deb 13 April 1938 vol 334 cc1149-51W
Mr. Kelly

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of widows of ex-service men who have been deprived of pension by decisions of the Special Grants Committee during the last four years?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The numbers of pensions declared forfeited by the Special Grants Committee during the four years from 1st April, 1934, to 31st March, 1938, were respectively 266, 189, 193 and 151.

Mr. Kelly

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of ex-service men who were under treatment in mental hospitals during 1937; and how many of these patients were discharged during the same year?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The total number of officers, nurses and men of other ranks for whose treatment in mental institutions my Department was responsible during the year 1937 was 6,015. During this period 175 cases were admitted, 136 were discharged and there were 152 deaths.

Mr. Kelly

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the names of the members of the special grants committee during the last four years, also the number of meetings of the committee during the last two years?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The Special Grants Committee and its sub-committees met 56 times in the year ended 31st March, 1937, and 52 times in the year ended 31st March, 1938.

The membership of the Committee during the last four years has been as follows:

Members on 1st April, 1934:

  • Sir Edward Troup, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., Chairman.
  • R. F. Cholmeley, Esq., C.B.E., Vice-Chairman.
  • A. Cunnison, Esq., C.B.
  • Admiral Cresswell Eyres, D.S.O., O.B.E., R.N.
  • R. F. Gould, Esq.
  • Miss B. Hewett, Died November, 1937.
  • Stamford Hutton, Esq., O.B.E., J.P.
  • Alderman Arthur Jenkins, M.P., Resigned February, 1938.
  • Miss C. Keeling, M.B.E., Resigned November, 1935.
  • A. Hume Nicholl, Esq., C.B.E.
  • E. D. Marris, Esq., Resigned December, 1937.
  • Mrs. B. Ross Smyth, O.B.E., J.P.
  • Lieut.-Colonel V. Vivian, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.V.O.
  • A. G. Webb, Esq., M.B.E.

Members appointed since 1st April, 1934:

  • Miss M. Cozens-Hardy, M.B.E., J.P., appointed January, 1936.
  • A. Maxwell-Lyte, Esq., appointed December, 1937.
  • R. C. Morrison, Esq., M.P., appointed February, 1938.
  • Miss E. Wilson, appointed December, 1937.

Mr. Kelly

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of officers engaged on investigation work for the purposes of the special grants committee?

Mr. Ramsbotham

There are no officers wholly employed on investigations for the Special Grants Committee. Any such investigations necessary are undertaken by the Ministry's Inquiry Officers from Ministry Headquarters or the Area Offices.