§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent administrative changes have been made in the last five years for dealing 296W with claims for war widows' pensions, particularly in connection with the tests that must be satisfied, namely, whether death was wholly due or materially hastened by war injury; and whether these changes have retrospective effect, involving the re-examination of earlier appeals disallowed under the former arrangements.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesI assume that the hon. Member is referring to an administrative change introduced in November, 1962. After that date Pensions Appeals Tribunals considering appeals from the widows of 1914 War pensioners on the question whether the pensioner's death was wholly due to his pensioned disablement were at the same time asked to give their view as to whether the pensioner's death was materially hastened by the effects of war service which, as the hon. Member will know, has always been an issue for the Minister to determine. Where the statutory appeal rights were already exhausted, this procedure could have no application.