HC Deb 01 April 1943 vol 388 cc350-1W
Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Pensions how many 100 per cent. disabled men of the last war and this war are receiving attendant allowance at the full rate, the three-quarter rate, the half rate or less than the half rate, and what percentage of these men are not drawing a wife's allowance?

Sir W. Womersley

The statistics maintained by my. Department do not show specifically the number of Great War disability pensioners in receipt of an attendant's allowance. Some years ago a special count was made, and allowing for deaths during the intervening period it is estimated that the present number is in the neighbourhood of 2,500 of which probably 400 are at the maximum rate, 350 at three-quarters rate, 1,400 at one-half rate and 30 at one-quarter rate. Corresponding figures for the present war are 6, 5, 26 and I respectively. The percentage of these disability pensioners who are not drawing wife's allowance could not be obtained without a disproportionate loss of time and labour but, as I informed the House on the 23rd March, approximately 57 per cent. of New War disabled men are drawing wife's allowance. The balance of 43 per cent. includes, of course, unmarried disability pensioners.