§ Sir T. Cookasked the Minister of Pensions if he is paying a pension to the dependants of the late Corporal Sidney Bates, V.C., the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
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§ Sir W. WomersleyYes, Sir. The parents' circumstances are such that I have been able to award a pension at the normal maximum rate.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will explain the nature of the test of unemployability applied to ex-Service men on pension to entitle them to the extra 10s. allowance.
§ Sir W. WomersleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Fraser) on 27th July, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give the number of ex-Servicemen on pension in receipt of the extra 10s. allowance for unemployability.
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe special allowance referred to has been granted in approximately 6,350 cases.
§ Mr. Oldfieldasked the Minister of Pensions if he has considered the Report of Mr. Green, area organiser for the South-east Lancashire British Legion, of which a copy has been sent to him, stating that there are over 1,000 cases on the waiting list for the appeals tribunals; that unless they possess money of their own, or are in touch with some charitable organisation, applicants have to apply to the P.A.C.; and if he will inquire into these allegations and make a statement.
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe Report referred to has been seen by my Department, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 26th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.