§ Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the numbers of war pensioners who are 50 per cent. or more disabled and aged 60 years or over, and the numbers of such men who are on his Department's lists for visitation by welfare officers and voluntary workers; and whether he plans to extend his scheme of visitation.
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Mr. VaneThere are about 81,600 war pensioners with assessments of 50 per cent. or more who are aged 60 or over. The other figures asked for are not available in the form required, but it is estimated that at least half of the total of about 17,000 on the visiting lists are pensioners in this category.
All war pensioners have been informed about the visiting arrangements, and those who are severely disabled and unable to work have been invited to let our welfare officers know if they wish to be included in these arrangements.
§ Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the numbers of welfare officers available to visit severely disabled war pensioners, by comparison with three years ago; and whether he will appoint more of his officers and appeal for additional voluntary workers to extend the scheme of visitation to all aged and severely disabled war pensioners, to ensure receipt of full entitlements and reference to voluntary funds for any necessary financial aid.
Mr. VaneThe visiting of severely disabled war pensioners is mainly done by members of War Pensions Committees and their voluntary workers who work in close co-operation with the Department's Welfare Officers. Excluding Welfare Officers stationed at hospitals there are now 69 Welfare Officers (three of whom are part-time) available for visiting as compared with 70 (including four part-time) three years ago. This team can meet the calls made on it at present but there is a shortage of voluntary workers in certain areas. Continuous efforts are being made to recruit voluntary workers in those areas, and the hon. Member may have noticed the reference to the need for additional voluntary workers which I made in a statement at Manchester on 4th December last. Valuable help in this matter has been given by some of the ex-Service organisations.
§ Mr. L. M. Leverasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is satisfied that the efforts of his Department are bringing to light the cases of all aged and severely disabled war pensioners whose disabilities have worsened 114W over the years and now warrant a higher rate of compensation than that originally awarded; and what plans he has to intensify and widen those efforts.
Mr. VaneI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and learned Member for Cardigan (Mr. Bowen) on 14th December.