§ Sir J. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-servicemen, other ranks, received pension for disablement sustained in the Great War during the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available; what was the total amount paid to these men as disability pensions; the amounts paid, as allowances, in respect of men undergoing treatment of their pensionable disabilities, wives of disabled men, and attendance for severely disabled men; and the numbers of recipients of each class of allowance?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe number of pensions, other ranks, in payment on 31st March, 1938, was 412,059. The amount paid in respect of pension and treatment allowances to this class was, as shown in the Appropriation Account of the Ministry just published, £19,646,600. The records maintained by the Ministry do not show the separate details asked for by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir J. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Pensions on what date com- 220W menced the system of notification of public assistance committees by the Ministry's regional officers of the fact that a disabled ex-service man in receipt of public assistance had been admitted to hospital for treatment of his war disability, and that whilst in hospital the man would be eligible only for the normal pension, if any, paid to him; and how many such notifications have been made since that date?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe system was introduced in the interests of pensioners on the 21st October last, but no record of the notifications in question is maintained. I understand they are very few in number.