Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will review the position of servicemen who recover damages, for pensionable loss of limb or other disabilities, resulting from accidents whilst on duty, and in whose cases the full weekly value of the damages so recovered is deducted from the disability pension normally payable; and whether, as the men concerned are disqualified from receiving National Health Insurance cash benefits by reason of receiving damages, he will make some abatement in the weekly deduction from pension?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member on Tuesday last, the method of reckoning such damages in the assessment of pension is at present under review.
Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases of men serving in the Army or Air Force who have received war service grants in respect of civil liabilities or other special claims, and have subsequently obtained commissions, the amount of the grant is reduced in proportion to the higher rate of pay; or whether it is taken into account that messing bills and other necessary charges incidental to commissioned rank, may actually make the man's immediate financial position worse than before he obtained promotion?
§ Mr. PalingWhen a man is granted a commission his claim to war service grant is assessed afresh, and, in computing the amount of his pay which he can be expected to contribute to his family, regard is had to his personal needs as an officer and to the expenses incidental to that status. Where officers' families suffer hardship I am afraid this is due much more to omission to apply for a grant than to the method of assessment.