HC Deb 19 November 1942 vol 385 cc531-4W
Sir F. Sanderson

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of pension allowances and gratuity payable to a widow of a second-lieutenant in the Royal Armoured Corps whose husband is killed in action?

Sir W. Womersley

The pension would be £110 per annum and the gratuity £100. In addition an allowance of £33 per annum for each eligible child under the age of 18 would be payable.

Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Pensions, in how many instances since the outbreak of war pensions have been refused to widows of men who have died from non-attributable causes while serving in the Forces?

Sir W. Womersley

The number is about 4,000. All but a few hundred of these widows would be eligible for contributory pension from the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Horabin

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man is asked by the service medical board before discharge whether he wishes to make a claim for a disability pension; and what effect this has on the man's prospects of obtaining a pension after he has left the Service?

Sir W. Womersley

The form of report completed by the Service Medical Board by whom the discharge is recommended provides for a written statement by the man as to the origin and history of his disability. All invaliding papers are carefully examined by the Ministry and if it is established that the disability is attributable to or materially aggravated by war service an award is made even though the man may not have connected his condition with his service.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Pensions how many requests he has received from hon. Members to review pensions claims made by their constituents which have previously been rejected; and what percentage of such claims has been successful?

Sir W. Womersley

I regret that I have no statistics which would enable me to reply to this Question.

Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any proposals to make regarding an improvement of the War Service Grants Scheme, and particularly in relation to the scaling down of grants because of improved children's allowances under recent Service increments?

Mr. Dobbie

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet arrived at a decision as to the disregard of the increase in children's allowances when dependants of serving members of the Forces make application for war service grants; if so, what is his decision; if any reductions have yet taken place in cases where war service grants are in operation, since, and owing to, the increase of the children's allowances; and in how many instances?

Mr. Paling

I will answer these two Questions together. The matter is still under consideration, but if the hon. Member will repeat his Question next sitting I hope to be able to inform him of the decision reached. Pending a decision, the recent increases in children's allowances have not been taken into account in reassessments of war service grants.

Mr. Bevan

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has any statement to make regarding the setting up of pensions appeal tribunals?

Mr. Dobbie

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has any further statement to make to the House on the progress made in arrangements for the setting up of pensions appeal tribunals?

Sir W. Womersley

I can only refer my hon. Friends to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions have been made by the British Legion acting for ex-Service men in this war and how many of such claims have been successful?

Sir W. Womersley

I regret that I have no statistics to say how many claims, successful or otherwise, have been made by the British Legion acting for ex-Service men of this war.

Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions by ex-Service men he has received during this war and how many have been rejected?

Sir W. Womersley

It would not be in the public interest to give detailed figures as to the number of persons discharged from the Forces on health grounds. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware all cases of invaliding are automatically referred to my Department and no formal claim has to be made by the individual himself.

Mr. E. Walkden

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will advise local authorities as to the allowances that are actually provided for Service men's wives to meet the costs of rates and rents and announce the method of assessment to determine actual need for a war service grants allowance?

Mr. Paling

Very wide publicity has already been given to the provisions of the War Service Grants Scheme and I have no grounds for believing that local authorities are, in general, unaware of the basis of these grants. As the hon. Member knows, rent and rates are regarded as a commitment in the calculation of a grant.

Mr. E. Walkden

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give an assurance to Service men's wives and local education authorities that where the title is established children's school fees and other essential educational costs are fully met by the war service grants allowances; whether he is aware that some local education committees are often being asked to reduce or cancel such fees and charges on grounds of hardship; and what is the method of assessment either to determine disqualification or the establishment of title?

Mr. Paling

Reasonable school fees and similar essential educational expenses in respect of the children of serving members of the Forces, are commitments which are specifically allowed for in the calculation of a war service grant. There is no hard and fast rule for determining whether in any particular instance the school fees and expenses are reasonable or not, and I do not think such a rule would be in the interests of applicants. Each case is carefully examined and the decision reached on the merits. I am not aware that local education committees are often in receipt of requests of the kind indicated but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to look into them if he furnishes me with the details.