War Pensions

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 3

War Pensions

Sir,—When Mr P. G. Connolly claims I have no foundation whatever for my statement of “70 per cent disability or more,” he is putting forth a half-truth for. a verity. This, the War Pensions Act of 1954 clearly shows in its provisions on economic pensions. These are payable only on the satisfaction of the War Pensions Board that the disability is such that the pensioner is unable to retain or accept suitable employment. Such pensions may be cancelled, refused, or reduced if the board is satisfied that the pensioner has refused to accept what the board considers suitable employment The peculiar reason why the board grants the economic pension in a lot of uncertain cases is because there is no statutory right of appeal'on the economic pension This gives the War Pensions Board the whip hand all along the line.—Yours, etc.. R. M. THOMSON. June 14, 1960. [The Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly), said:—“The letter refers to the discretionary authority of the War Pensions Board in deciding economic pensions. I would advise that the War Pensions Board is appointed by the Government to administer the War Pensions Act and the correspondent has no evidence that the provisions of the act regarding payment of economic pensions are not being administered in accordance with the spirit as well as the requirements of the legislation.”]