Naval And Military Pensions And Grants Medical Boards 1. Mr. BECKER asked the Minister of Pensions what is the present cost peal annum of the Irish medical board situated in Dublin; and how many patients did they examine during the period 1st July, 1921, to July, 1922? The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon) The cost of the medical boards sitting at Dublin during the year in question was approximately £30,000, and during that period nearly 20,000 examinations were made. The average cost of each examination, as revealed by these figures, is, of course, exceptionally high and is to be accounted for by the abnormal conditions prevailing in Ireland during the period stated. The cost has already been greatly reduced. 7. Mr. SHORT asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that when a medical board reports that the disability of an applicant is attributable to War service the Ministry refuses to accept the opinion of its own officers, and opposes the application; if so, by whom is the opinion rejected; where it is rejected, is the applicant afforded another opportunity of appearing before another medical board; and, if not, what is the reason for refusing the opportunity? Major TRYON The hon. Member is under a serious misapprehension as to the procedure of the Ministry. The question whether a man is entitled to any compensation at all (as distinct from the question as to the extent to which he is disabled) has never been a matter to be decided by the original medical board which either invalided the man out of the Army or considered his case under an Article 9 claim. The question has to be determined in the light of the man's conditions of service, his medical history during service, and, in some cases, before enlistment, and other considerations which, in many cases, are not medical matters at all; and, so far as the matter is a medical one, the opinion of a specialist is often necessary. On the question of title to pension, every case is, of course, carefully considered in the Regional Office by medical assessors and other officers, in the light of all the evidence available, after the board has given its opinion. If the Ministry had made a rule accepting in all cases the opinion of the first medical board on the question of entitlement, a very large number of the eases now on the pension list would not have been admitted at all, because the opinion of the first board is probably as often unfavourable to the man as favourable. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is the case that where title to pension is subsequently questioned, on the advice of a specialist or otherwise, the Ministry do not decide the case without the man having an opportunity of stating his own case before a further special medical board. I would remind the hon. Member that in every case where the Ministry reject a claim, the man has a right of appeal to the independent Appeal Tribunal under the Lord Chancellor. Pension Restored (Mrs M Mallon) 2. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Mallon, 31, Hamilton Street, Govan, was awarded a pension on the 10th December, 1918, in respect of her brother, Private James Dunlop, No. 33,708, Highland Light Infantry; that this woman had to bring up the brother owing to the death of his mother and father, and when she married she took this lad into her home and continued to bring him up, and that Mrs. Mallon received a letter on the 17th November, 1922, informing her that the pension is withdrawn and no further grant or gratuity can be made to her; whether he can state why it is that this pension should have been paid for a period of four years on the ground that she was the nearest relative and had been responsible for his maintenance prior to his enlistment; and whether he will give instructions that this case be re-opened and the payment of pension resumed to this woman? Major TRYON I am glad to say that it has been found possible to restore the pension in this case for a further period. Eegular And Temporary Officers 3. Mr. MARDY JONES asked the Minister of Pensions if he can remove the discrimination now obtaining between the scales of pensions and treatment meted out to regular officers compared with temporary officers suffering the same percentage of disability arising out of their service in the late War? Major TRYON I cannot agree that regular officers are at a disadvantage as compared with temporary officers. In almost all cases regular officers receive half-pay rate as a permanent pension, even if disablement is slight or temporary. In cases of total disablement there is an addition of £150 to the service rate. Where the officer retired for reasons other than those of ill-health and was granted a service gratuity, but not service retired pay, he may receive as a concession disability retired pay of £100 a year. Mr. JONES Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information? Major TRYON I have had my attention called to this complicated question which involves two Departments; but my information on the subject is what I have just stated in my answer. 4. Mr. JONES further asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that regular officers in receipt of £100 per annum for total incapacity caused by service in the late War who are admitted to a Ministry of Pensions hospital for treatment necessitated by their disability are charged the sum of 3ls. 6d. per week, which is deducted out of their weekly pension of 38s. 6d., leaving a bare 7s. per week upon which the families of such officers are forced to exist: and will he inquire into this matter? Major TRYON The hon. Member is, I presume, referring to certain exceptional cases of regular officers who have retired for reasons other than ill-health and have been granted service gratuities—generally in lieu of retired pay. The facts are as stated, but I may remind the hon. Member that the Special Grants Committee have power to grant allowances for wife and children to an officer under treatment for a disability due to War service who is in need. Mr. JONES If case? of this kind are brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, will he give them his serious and favourable consideration? Major TRYON As to that, I shall be glad to consider any case brought to my notice by the hon. Gentleman. Appeal Tribunals 5. Mr. HURD asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in order to assist ex-service men and dependants in the most difficult task of presenting their cases before appeal tribunals, he can arrange that they shall have at their disposal free legal or expert advice and assistance, such as is afforded to defendants in the courts of law? Major TRYON I regret that I am unable to recommend the adoption of this suggestion. The proposal has already been very carefully considered, both by the late Minister of Pensions and by myself, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, but was found impracticable. Apart from objections on the ground of the heavy expense that would be entailed, it is, in my judgment, neither necessary nor desirable in the interests of appellants to introduce into the procedure of the pension appeal tribunals, a system of professional advocacy. Mr. HURD Would it be possible for the British Legion, or a body of that sort, to give, or provide, independent help for these cases? Major TRYON Yes, Sir. The British Legion has rendered very valuable help in cases of the kind. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pensioners consider that unless they get legal advice they cannot get their cases properly considered. Major TRYON On that I may say that I think it is undesirable to put in interposition of that sort. In the claims put forward we endeavour to bring out as clearly as possible the points in favour of the men. Sir JOHN SIMON Would the appeal tribunal be prepared to hear the presentation of the case put by, not a professional person, but someone nominated by the British Legion? Mr. MACPHERSON Does not the Ministry of Pensions encourage voluntary assistance? Major TRYON In reply to the two right hon. Gentlemen, that is the case. We welcome any assistance given in a voluntary form to the applicants. We do not want to put ourselves in antagonism to the applicant. 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the many cases of harshness, and even of injustice, in recent cases of appeal by pensioners before the pension appeal tribunals; that many men have had their pensions stopped or very much reduced, when quite unfit for work, owing to their wounds or disabilities; whether he can give the House of Commons the recent instructions sent to tribunals on the question of revisions; and whether he is considering the stabilising of all pensions? Major TRYON I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the pensions appeal tribunals which are under the Lord Chancellor are either harsh or unjust. The tribunals are free to exercise an unfettered judgment on the merits of each case which comes before them, and I am informed that no instructions which would in any way tend to limit that power are or could be given to them. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stone on the 30th November, and of which I am sending him a copy. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to his own great kindness several of these cases have been looked into and the pensions rearranged? There are many cases where injustice has been removed owing to his own efforts. Major TRYON I am not aware of the particular cases to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The procedure is as follows: When a claim is rejected by the Ministry and the man appeals, we again go into the case, and sometimes we are able to grant the application in consequence of new evidence. If we do not grant the entitlement the case goes on to the appeal tribunal, whose decision is final. Disability Pensions 6. Mr. SNELL asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received from the metropolitan borough of Woolwich a copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the borough council protesting against the action of the Ministry of Pensions in reducing the amount of pensions of disabled ex-service men, especially in those cases where a one-hundred per cent, pension had been granted, and reduced solely on the ground that the person is, in the opinion of the medical board, fit for light work without definition, thereby causing them to apply to the Employment Exchange for benefit and light work in competition with physically fit unemployed workmen who have not been compelled to change their occupation; and whether he will do his best to provide for the maintenance of men whose helpless condition has been brought about by their services to the State. Major TRYON I have seen the resolution referred to. I have already dealt with this matter in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. J. Guest) on the 28th November. I may add that it is contrary to specific instructions for medical officers to certify men fit for light work, and I shall be glad to receive particulars of any cases in which the instructions on this point have been disregarded. 23Rd London Regiment (G F Gibbons) 8. Mr. McENTEE asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make inquiries into the case of Private George Francis Gibbons, No. 705594, 23rd London Regiment, of 22, Cassiobury Road, Waltham-stow, E.17, who served with the Colours from 3rd June, 1918, to 20th February, 1919, and who, previous to his enlistment, was in good health, and was passed into the Army in category Al, but who, since his discharge, has been most of his time ill, and has been certified as suffering from tuberculosis, due to service, by the local tuberculosis officer, and who is now a chronic case, and has not received any pension or gratuity; and will he reconsider his case with a view to granting him a pension? Major TRYON The Pensions Appeal Tribunal have confirmed the decision of the Ministry that the disability claimed in this case is not connected with service. I am, therefore, precluded from re-opening the case. Somerset Light Infantry (G H Sprunt) 10. Mr. LANSBURY asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of George Henry Sprunt, of the Somerset Light Infantry, who was called up on 18th October, 1917, sent to France, where he served until March, 1918, after which he was sent to Egypt, demobilised 20th April, 1920, and at the end of which year he was treated by a local doctor for neurasthenia; whether he is aware that this man is now in Brentwood Asylum without a pension, is classified as a pauper on the West Ham rates, and his father called upon to pay 5s. per week towards his maintenance, the pensions appeal tribunal having disallowed his claim; whether he is aware that from 1915 to 1917 this man was in regular employment and in excellent health, and was passed into the Army as Al and served as such; and, in these circumstances, will the Ministry immediately remove the man from the pauper list and treat him as one of the men for whose sufferings the nation is responsible? Major TRYON The decision of the Ministry that this man's disability is neither due to, nor worsened by, service has been confirmed on appeal by the independent pensions appeal tribunal, whose decision is final. Mr. LANSBURY Does the right hon. Gentleman still stick to his statement that no man who has served overseas is treated in this way—as a pauper lunatic? Major TRYON I do not know to what my hon. Friend is referring to in this particular case. Mr. LANSBURY The other night the hon. and gallant Gentleman said something to the effect I have stated? Major TRYON In the discussion in the House on ex-service men in asylums I held in my hand six or seven cases, and said that none of these cases had served overseas. Mr. LANSBURY I will send the right hon. Gentleman the statement to which I refer. Do I understand this man in my question was not enlisted as A1; if he was so enlisted, is he not entitled to a pension, and will the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to that point? Major TRYON I will send the hon. Gentleman the information for which he asks. I think I ought to say that I have already been asked to go into about 200 individual cases to-day, and therefore I am not immediately in possession of all the details of each case. If the hon. Gentleman will write to me I shall be very happy to give him the information for which he asks. 12Th Lincolns (B Woolley) 14. Mr. HANCOCK asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can say why a pension has been refused in the case of Private Benjamin Woolley, No. 9,773, 12th Lincolns, who is now confined to Mickleover asylum as a direct result of war experience, and whose wife and child are now in a destitute condition? Major TRYON I am looking into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible. Widows' Pensions 16. Mr. WARNE asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims for pensions under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant by widows whose husbands have died as the result of disability due to war service have been disallowed because these men survived for more than seven years after the date of such wound, injury, or disease? Major TRYON About 70 cases of this nature have arisen up to date the majority of which, however, have already been dealt with by way of pension under Article 17. 17. Mr. C. WHITE asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will do all that is possible to facilitate a decision being arrived at in the case of Mrs. Lucy Tomlinson, of 476, Broomhill, Glossop Road, Sheffield (late of Pilsley, near Bakewell), widow of the late Kenneth H. Tomlinson, No. 71806, Sherwood Foresters, who died on the 27th September last of tuberculosis contracted while on military service; and whether he is aware that the pension was applied for through the Sheffield war pensions committee two months ago, since which time nothing has been heard by the widow of the application? Major TRYON It has been found necessary to obtain further medical information before a final decision can be given. I will see that there is no unnecessary delay in connection with the case. Mr. WHITE Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman is dependent on charity at present, and will he hasten up a decision? Major TRYON We do all we can in these cases. On the available information the case could not be granted, but additional information may possibly enable a favourable decision to be arrived at. 26. Mr. GILBERT asked the Minister of Pensions the number of widows of men who have died since the War who have claimed pensions from his Department during the last 12 months; how many such pensions have been allowed and how many refused; how many of such cases have gone to appeal; and can he state what the decisions on such appeals have been? Major TRYON During the last 12 months about 10,500 applications by widows for pensions have been considered, and in 5,500 cases an award of pension has been made. About 4,000 appeals by widows have been heard by the tribunals during the same period, and of these approximately 1,200 have been successful. Dependants' Pensions 18. Mr. C. WHITE asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that notice is being sent out to dependants receiving pensions in respect of the death of a son or other relative that the War bonus hitherto paid to them is to cease on the 31st March, 1923; what is the reason for such decision; and, seeing that it is contravening the spirit, if not the letter, of the decision he has recently announced in the House, can this be reconsidered? Major TRYON The 20 per cent, bonus which is payable on that class of pension to parents which is based on the amount of the support given by the deceased son to his parent before enlistment, will, in accordance with the statement already made by me in this House, not be reduced in April, 1923. In the case of pensions based on physical incapacity and need, no bonus is ordinarily payable, because the pension is based upon the circumstances of the parent at the present time. Mr. WHITE Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the question as to whether the bonus should be stopped in these cases. This woman has a pension in respect of her son, and her only other income is 12s. a week unemployment benefit, and this will be discontinued in March next? Major TRYON I think the hon. Member should send me the details of any particular case before asking me for information. 25. Mr. F. ROBERTS asked the Minister of Pensions whether any general instructions have been given to his Department to effect reductions in the email pensions granted to aged poor parents of deceased soldiers in cases of pecuniary need; whether he can state the number of these cases reduced during the six months ended 30th June, 1922; and, in view of the fact that the reductions in many cases are for sums less than 2s. a week, will he say what is the total saving to the State and the cost of inquiry officers and medical men and others employed to investigate these cases; and whether it is proposed to carry out this revision periodically? Major TRYON No general instructions have been issued to the effect suggested. A new and improved scheme for the award and administration of this class of pension was introduced in the early part of this year. The effect of the scheme, which was generally agreed as equitable, was to increase substantially a number of the pensions while reducing some in which the circumstances did not justify the previous grant. I am not in a position to give the number of cases in which reduction or increase occurred as the direct result of this scheme. No additional staff was employed for the purpose. With regard to the last part of the question, I am glad to be able to say that one of the objects of the new scheme was to avoid the constant review of pensions which had been the previous practice. A pension is now awarded for a year at a time. Eoyal Air Force (J Corfield) 19. Mr. C. WHITE asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the case of Private J. Corfield, No. 107,720, late Royal Air Force, now residing at Darleydale, near Matlock, who enlisted in 1914, was discharged in 1918, was married in 1916 and has three children; whether he is aware that in addition to his own pension he received a pension up to 15th November last in respect of his wife and children; whether he is also aware that the pension to his wife and children has now been discontinued; and whether he will take steps to restore the said pension? Major TRYON I am inquiring into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date. Draft Books 20. Mr. HAYDAY asked the Minister of Pensions what amount was paid during 1921 as advances to ex-service men who were obliged to apply to local offices for assistance owing to delay in forwarding their payment books from the office in London to local post offices: whether, in these circumstances, the expense of travelling to the local pensions office is paid by the Ministry; and whether arrangements can be made to enable the post offices to continue payment pending the receipt of draft books? Major TRYON The amount asked for in the first part of the question is £270,000, which, as I pointed out to the hon. Member last Thursday, arises largely from delay on the part of pensioners in completing their life certificates. Payment in the manner suggested would not be practicable, the Post Office officials not being in a position to decide whether the applicant is entitled to pension. The expense of travelling is not defrayed by the Ministry. Mr. HAYDAY Would the Pensions Minister kindly look into this matter where hardship is imposed by having to travel to and from the local pensions office I Will he meet such expenses? Major TRYON I will consider that point, but I cannot give any undertaking. Local Committees 21. Mr. HAYDAY asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of pensions committees appointed under the the War Pensions Act, 1921, and the number of local and district sub-committees in existence previously: whether he is aware that as a result of the reduction of bodies, particularly in rural areas, ex-service men have been deprived of the advice and assistance of local representatives of the Ministry in preparing their claims; and whether he can state the number of soldiers' friends appointed by his Department in accordance with the promise to the House during the Committee stages of the War Pensions Act, 1921? Major TRYON The total number of war pensions committees to be established under the War Pensions Act, 1921, is 166, of which 146 have already been established and the remainder will be established by the end of the year. There were formerly 383 local committees and 649 district and local sub-committees. I am not aware that as a, result of the reduction of committees ex-service men have been deprived of advice and assistance. One of the functions of the committees established under the Act of 1921 is to take steps to secure the assistance and co-operation of voluntary workers, particularly in rural districts, and the committees are now taking steps to this end. These voluntary workers will act in every way as soldiers' friends. Mr. HAYDAY Will the right hon. Gentleman hasten the arrangements, because I can assure him that there is hardship? Major TRYON I have been going into that matter. I am proceeding with the formation of these groups of voluntary workers as rapidly as possible. Administration 22. Mr. HERRIOTTS asked the Minister of Pensions the number of officials employed by the Ministry in the administration throughout the country previous to the passing of the present Pensions Act and the number employed by the administration at present, with the comparative costs for the two periods; and the number of persons receiving pensions for the two periods named? Major TRYON Excluding the staff of Ministry hospitals and other institutions, the total staff paid by the Ministry, including the staffs of local committees, at the end of the June quarter, 1921, was 23,329, and at the end of the September quarter, 1922, 19,509, a reduction in this staff of 3,820. The average monthly cost at the same periods was £476,000 and £343,000, respectively. The number of beneficiaries at those dates was 3,320,000 and 2,620,000, respectively. Tuberculosis (Special Diet) 23. Mr. F. ROBERTS asked the Minister of Pensions what type of case of tuberculosis in which a man is under treatment is entitled to special diet allowance in addition to the usual allowance? Major TRYON Where a man suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis is in receipt of full allowances under Article 6, he may in addition receive a special allowance if lie was previously in receipt of the allowance, as an advanced case, and the man's condition and circumstances are considered to justify it. Mr. ROBERTS Seeing the great dissatisfaction which exists with regard to the treatment of these cases, will the right hon. Gentleman take measures to remove some of the harshness which surrounds them in order that justice may be done to them? Major TRYON These cases were gone into a few weeks ago, and the hardships were met. Mr. ROBERTS Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the case of ex-officers suffering from a 100 per cent. disability who are stated to be dying from this disease, and can no remedy be found? Major TRYON I am not aware of any e ex-officers suffering for a 100 per cent, f disability who are receiving no assistance e whatever. If the hon. Member will send y me any such cases I will inquire into them. Mr. ROBERTS I sent a letter to the right hon. Gentleman yesterday giving two such cases. Major TRYON I will go into the matter, and send the hon. Member an answer. Major PAGET Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of gassed men as well? Major TRYON Yes, I will consider that point. 7Th Dragoon Guards (T Perry) 29. Mr. SHORT asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Thomas Perry, No. 6891. 7th Dragoon Guards, residing at 8, Addison Street, Wednesbury, was, until recently, in receipt of a disability pension of £2 per week; that he suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis and gastric ulcer; that the medical board reported that the gastric ulcer had passed away but the pulmonary tuberculosis remained; that his pension has been reduced to 12s. per week; that the tuberculosis doctor at the Wednesbury Tuberculosis Board Clinic states Perry must not do more than two hours' light work per day; and whether in view of these facts, he will have this case reconsidered? Major TRYON In the short time available I have not been able to complete my inquiries into this case. I will communicate with the hon. Member at an early date. 33. Mr. CLARRY asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that there is a grave feeling of apprehension amongst a section of ex-service men employés of the Great Western Railway Company at Newport as to the right of the company's officials to inquire the amount of dis- ability pension they have received or are receiving; whether he can state the reason for such inquiries; and if he can give an assurance that his Department has not given any instructions in this connection? Major TRYON I have no knowledge of any such action on the part of the Great Western Railway Company, and I can assure the hon. Member that no instructions in the sense suggested have been issued by my Department. Children (Education Grants) 30. Mr. EDWARDS asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Ministry intend to withdraw the grants made by the Special Grants Committee towards the education of children of soldiers who died in the War; and,, if so, before finally deciding, will he take steps to secure the opinion of the House on the matter? Major TRYON I am glad to assure the hon. Member that there is no intention of withdrawing any educational grants properly given by the Special Grants Committee under their Regulations. Widows And Orphans Pensions 31. Mr. EDWARDS asked the Minister of Pensions whether protests have been received from large numbers of ex-service men and others against the withdrawal of pensions to widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers died more than seven years after discharge; and will he consider the withdrawal of Article 11, which gives the right to do so? Major TRYON I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed answer on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee) on the 30th November, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.