Mr George Isaacs: Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that in the time of the last Government the Members on the benches behind him were most insistent that we should abolish direction of labour, and will he bear in mind that the party opposite quite obviously do not support the hon. Member For Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay)?
Mr George Isaacs: In that event, would we not run the risk of being blown into "Smithereens"?
Mr George Isaacs: May I ask the Minister if the best course to pursue in these cases is for the pensioner to approach the welfare officers, established under that excellent service of the Ministry, whose duty it is to look after the pensioner rather than the pension fund?
Mr George Isaacs: It is always a pleasure to take part in debates on war pensions, because politics do not enter into them at all and everyone is anxious to do the best they can for those concerned. We do appreciate the offer which has been made and the proposal that those who use the all-weather chair should get a grant of £3 and the other chair users a grant of £2. I presume that the grant of £4 10s....
Mr George Isaacs: I gathered that, because the Ministry of Pensions does like to anticipate the wishes of the House and to be able to move before they are pressed to do so by resolution and decision. I would ask for a little more information about the civilians. I know the difficulties but I would put this to the Committee. Many of these civilians were injured during their service to the country just as the...
Mr George Isaacs: Is the Minister aware that he has been quite misled by that statement of the firm that this man left of his own accord, and that investigation would prove their statement to be inaccurate; is he further aware that all the trade unions in this matter are asking is, not for recognition, but merely that the men should be free to join a trade union if they so wish; is he further aware, so far as...
Mr George Isaacs: I am sure the Minister will be aware that the whole House welcomes the statement he has made, especially that part relating to widows' pensions. In particular we shall all welcome his decision to make the payments from the first pay day in May and we wish to commend him upon that prompt action.
Mr George Isaacs: As the hon. Gentleman has given figures with regard to the loss in the Dining Room and the Tea Room, will he give the loss in regard to the Smoke Room?
Mr George Isaacs: (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour if he has any statement to make on the situation in the London Docks arising from the dispute between the lighterage employers and the Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union.
Mr George Isaacs: I am painfully aware of the reason for the last few words of the right hon. and learned Gentleman. I do not want to press him unduly but I would ask him if he is alive—as I feel sure he is—[Laughter]—I put that the wrong way round, that is the worst of being a printer—to the need and the importance of securing a settlement through the established machinery within the industry, and...
Mr George Isaacs: It was very difficult to provide a wheelchair suitable for Mr. Touhey owing to his inability to use a standard model, but after he had been visited by one of my technical officers a chair was specially made. It was despatched to Mr. Touhey by the manufacturers on 27th July.
Mr George Isaacs: The hon. and gallant Gentleman may rest assured that we shall collect that chair and make use of it for somebody who really needs it.
Mr George Isaacs: I regret that I am unable to award a pension to this lady, having regard to the provisions of the War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act, 1942. Mrs. Dunlop has been notified that she has a right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal against my decision.
Mr George Isaacs: I have already given the hon. Gentleman full particulars in answer to his inquiry, setting out the full facts. I cannot add to that. I can add, however, that I think this lady is entitled to every sympathy, but I am bound by the Act of Parliament, and I hope that whatever assistance we can give to her to take the case to appeal will readily be given.
Mr George Isaacs: It is quite improper for the hon. Gentleman to read any such suggestion into what I have said. I said nothing of the sort. I said that we have every sympathy with her.
Mr George Isaacs: Because she is not entitled to it.
Mr George Isaacs: The delay is largely due to the need for alterations to premises in order to provide the specialised service. Negotiations with the owner are in progress. As I said in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 24th July, I hope the centre will be opened by early September.
Mr George Isaacs: I should not like to say he was doing a disservice. I should like to put it the other way, that he would do a very great service to a number of limbless pensioners in the area if he would hurry up the decision.
Mr George Isaacs: The allowance represents the Government's contribution towards the cost of garaging the car, maintaining it in a roadworthy condition, and towards incidental running expenses. The State pays the insurance and road tax in addition.
Mr George Isaacs: The hon. Member's question gives me the opportunity of making this point clear. None of this allowance is allocated towards petrol. It is meant to cover the cost of garaging, repairs, tyres and spare parts—in other words, to keep the car in running order—and not the cost of petrol for running it.
