§ 22. Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Pensions how many Service men, from the commencement of hostilities in 1939 to the most recent convenient date were invalided from the Service on the grounds of wounds and/or ill-health; how many were, respectively, granted and refused 23W pensions; and of those granted pensions how many have since had them terminated.
§ Mr. J. HyndNo formal claim is required from persons invalided from the Forces. The documents of all such persons are automatically referred to the Ministry for consideration of title to pension. A person discharged on other than health grounds, or transferred to Class W of the Reserve is required to make a formal claim to pension. Separate figures for these categories are not available but the number dealt with under the three heads between 3rd September, 1939, and 31st March, 1947, is approximately 770,000. Awards have been made in 350,000 cases: in about 210,000 of the remaining cases where no award has been made the person concerned has at no time made or inferred anything in the nature of a claim. In addition about 160,000 claims have been received from persons released from the Forces and awards made in 134,000 cases. Of the total of 484,000 awards in all categories, payment has ceased in 95,000 cases.