HC Deb 08 November 1945 vol 415 cc1589-90W
Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will undertake an inquiry into the attitude of his Ministry towards cases of psychoneurosis, with a view to securing more sympathetic and generous treatment of such cases.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

I am satisfied that cases of psychoneurosis are sympathetically and generously treated by my Department. As in the case of any other disability, pension is dependent on whether the condition is causally connected with war service. But where a man who has been invalided for psychoneurosis is in need of and likely to benefit by institutional treatment, free treatment is provided in special centres even though the condition is neither attributable to nor aggravated by war service. During such treatment special allowances are paid. Attention is given as part of the treatment to the man's re-establishment in employment and where necessary vocational training is arranged by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the facilities provided for ex-Servicemen undergoing institutional treatment for psychoneurosis; and whether he will bring the scales of treatment allowances in such cases into conformity with those paid by the Ministry of Pensions.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir. I believe the facilities to be good. But if the hon. Member has any particular point to raise I shall be glad to inquire into it. As regards the second part of the Question, any allowances are, in fact, paid by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.