Armed Forces (Pensions and Grants)

Oral Answers to Questions — Public Health – in the House of Commons at on 6 May 1943.

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Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraser:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will increase the rate of the attendant allowance and extend it to all men of both wars who have been disabled in the highest degree?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

This Question relates to one of the matters raised in the recent Debate to which, as I then undertook, I am giving consideration.

Photo of Sir Ian Fraser Sir Ian Fraser , Lonsdale

How many weeks must my right hon. Friend reasonably need before he will be in a position to tell us the result of his consideration of all the matters raised in that Debate?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, a large number of matters were raised in that Debate, and I must consider them as a whole and also separately, and I cannot give any definite date.

Photo of Sir Ian Fraser Sir Ian Fraser , Lonsdale

-Could not the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the date? Will it be a matter of weeks or months?

Photo of Sir Alexander Erskine-Hill Sir Alexander Erskine-Hill , Edinburgh North

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has studied the declaration of policy submitted by the British Legion (Scotland); and whether he can make a statement?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

The declaration, which involves fundamental changes in the pensions system, only reached me a few days ago. I am not at present prepared to express an opinion on it.

Photo of Sir Alexander Erskine-Hill Sir Alexander Erskine-Hill , Edinburgh North

Can my right hon. Friend state any time within which he will be able to make a statement?

Photo of Major Abraham Lyons Major Abraham Lyons , Leicester East

Is it not time that the whole pensions system was overhauled on lines which have already been recommended by a Committee of this House?

Photo of Mr George Mathers Mr George Mathers , Linlithgowshire

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange to increase the allowances to neurosis patients who accept his offer of hospital treatment, in order that their homes may be maintained during their absence?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

The provision for cases in which the neurosis is accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service is the same as in all cases of other accepted disabilities and is at the rates laid down in the Royal Warrant. Where the neurosis is not accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service and, therefore, the Warrant allowances are not payable, special provision is made which places the patient in approximately the same position as the war injured civilian in receipt of injury allowances during a period of incapacity for work and the person in receipt of Workmen's Compensation for total incapacity. The provision in both classes of case seems to me reasonable.

Photo of Mr George Mathers Mr George Mathers , Linlithgowshire

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these persons are asked to go to hospital as a measure which will be good for them, but have to leave their homes and their wives with only £I per week for their maintenance?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

No. I think I had better send the hon. Member a full list of the allowances. It is rather too long to read out now.

Photo of Mr George Mathers Mr George Mathers , Linlithgowshire

May I say that I shall be glad to have that list, because in the particular case I have in mind I have confirmed the fact that £1 was what a man was asked to accept in going to hospital?

Photo of Mr Walter Womersley Mr Walter Womersley , Grimsby

Will the hon. Member send me particulars of that case? I should like to look into it.