asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why it is not practicable for war disability pensioners or claimants for war disability in respect of wars prior to the 1939–45 war to have the same right of appeal to an independent pensions appeal tribunal as those involved in the latter war.

The great majority of 1914 War disablement pensioners have statutory final awards against which there was at the time a right of appeal. The available evidence in respect of a current claim to pension in respect of war service which must have ended at least 45 years ago, would usually be inadequate for determination by a legal tribunal, quite apart from the danger of giving rise to false hopes if a final right of appeal was now provided.As the hon. Member will know, there are well recognised procedures for dealing with new and revived claims, or claims for review, from these men and it is open to them, if they wish, to discuss their cases with the local war pension committee.