HC Deb 18 July 1938 vol 338 cc1821-2W
Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that H. Ward, No. 201,740, York and Lancaster Regiment, of 34, Devonshire Street, Doncaster, has been an inmate of the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Leeds, from 5th March to 30th June, suffering from gunshot wounds, arid was discharged, though unfit to follow his employment; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure this man's re-entry into the hospital?

Mr. Ramsbotham

This man was not discharged from hospital until it had been ascertained that so far as his condition was affected by his war wound, no further treatment was required. A subsequent examination has confirmed this. I am, however, making further inquiries into the case and any further treatment found to be necessary will be at once provided.

Mr. McGovern

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the total number of ex-soldiers awarded pensions for disabilities suffered prior to the 1914–18 War; the annual cost to raise

Date Maximum Amount. Maximum Period of Repayment. Purpose.
£
19th March, 1934 5,000 1 year Ordinary expenses. (Overdraft.)
5th November, 1934 5,500 20 years New pumping plant at Fiskerton.
I2th June, 1935 2,000 Period ending 31st March, 1938. Ordinary expenses. (Overdraft.)
5th March, 1936 7,500 20 years New pumping plant at Stixwould.
28th May, 1938 1,100 20 years Improvement works in the Stainfield area.
I4th June, 1938 3,000 Period ending 31st March,1941. Ordinary expenses. (Overdraft.)

No Exchequer grant is made towards the charges arising out of any loans raised under the authority of these sanctions, but the improvement works in the Stainfield area, for which sanction was given to borrow £1,100, formed the subject of an application for grant under Part III of the Agriculture Act, 1937, the £1,100 representing the estimated cost of the works to the Drainage Board after deduction of the Exchequer grant.

these pensions to the same level as 1914–18 disability pensions; and if he will take steps to grant such an increase?

Mr. Ramsbotham

There are approximately 5,400 pensions in issue to men disabled in former wars. I am glad to say that all cases eligible for increased pension have had, and still have, the opportunity of obtaining such increase under the Ministry's Warrants applicable to men disabled in former wars. These Warrants were drawn with a view to meeting the increased cost of living which had determined the scales of the Great War Warrants and aim at giving this class of pensioner such increase of pension as the degree of his disablement or other circumstances are found to justify. In these circumstances the latter part of the hon. Member's question hardly arises.