3 JANUARY 1947, Page 19

DISABILITY PENSIONS

SIR,—It was very gratifying to see Strix taking up the cudgels of the disabled ex-Serviceman. Although doubling the basic rate would un- doubtedly alleviate much distress, I wonder if far more fundamental changes are not required so as to make the whole system of awards more equitable. Subject to minimum rates, surely the pension should bear some relation to earning capacity. To illustrate my point, I feel I cannot do better than cite my own case. I draw a disability pension of 6o per cent, for the loss of one leg below the knee and, inter alia, severe wounds to the other ; but my earning capacity is not impaired one iota, as -I derive a very satisfactory income from a sedentary occupation. Possessing my fair share of avarice, I draw my tax-free pension of over £2 a week without a qualm, but in my. more honest moments I feel it an unnecessary imposition on the tax-paying community.

Had I, however, been a manual worker obliged to stand on my feet for the greater part of the day, I could not have done so without extreme discomfort which might have reduced my efficiency and thus my earning capacity. I believe also that the pension for the loss of two legs above the knee is too per cent., as is that for the loss of twb eyes ; the two would not in my case be comparable, as I could, with sonic incon- venience, do my job without legs, but certainly not without eyes. Then, again, why are commissioned limbs, etc., more valuable than the non-commissioned? That officers are awarded higher pensions than O.R.s seems in inverse proportion to their needs. The officer class usually follows a non-manual calling, where the loss of limbs is not so vital as it would be to manual workers who comprise the majority of O.R.'s.

• While I fully appreciate the difficulties of administering any scheme which related pension to earning capacity, and although I realise I may well be accused of indulging in sweeping generalities, I feel these are some of the anomalies which should be tackled. Meanwhile, I hope the basic rate will be increased to bring it into line with the rise in the cost of living, and as I do not want the Minister to review my case (unless he is prepared to review all similar ones at the same time and apply the proceeds to the totally disabled) I prefer to sign myself—

DISABLED EXLSERVICBMAN.