HC Deb 15 February 1940 vol 357 cc966-7W
Mr. Leslie Boyce

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet had an opportunity of considering the representations made to him on behalf of the British Legion in respect of the terms and conditions, and rates of pensions, under the new pensions warrant?

Sir W. Womersley

These representations along with others are at the present time being carefully considered by my Central Advisory Committee. The Committee includes representatives of the British Legion.

Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any difference in the provision of relief to insurance companies from the payment of workmen's compensation as between persons injured by enemy action on land and persons injured by enemy action on sea; and whether, in the latter class of injuries, he is satisfied that claims are being expeditiously dealt with, particularly those arising from injuries to Scottish fishermen.

Sir W. Womersley

The provisions of Section 3 of the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, apply equally to persons whose cases fall to be dealt with by the scheme made under that Act and to members of the mercantile marine, fishing fleet, etc., whose claims are dealt with by the scheme made under the Pensions (Navy, Army, Air Force and Mercantile Marine) Act, 1939. Special arrangements have been made to facilitate the lodging of claims and their expeditious settlement in the case of fishermen and other mariners who sustain war injuries while employed or engaged in seagoing service in British ships.

Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. F. Williams, of 39, Bloomsbury Street, Cheltenham, aged 73, an old age pensioner, who has to maintain an invalid daughter in receipt of 6s. weekly under National Health Insurance, lost all his three sons in the last war and has recently been granted a dependant's pension of only 10s. a week; and will he increase the amount of the pension to 13s. 4d. a week, that being the amount granted to Mr. Williams in 1932 when he was financially better off than he is to-day?

Sir W. Womersley

As I have already informed the hon. Member, I am looking further into the circumstances of this case and will communicate with him as early as possible.

Mr. Mort

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has given further consideration to the claim of Mrs. Margaret Vickery, of Peter Terrace, Swansea, whose only son lost his life when His Majesty's Ship "Aviemore" was torpedoed and in view of the fact that her husband is unemployed?

Sir W. Womersley

It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the papers regarding this case. I will, however, look into it and write to the hon. Member as early as possible.