Catalogue description Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance: War Pensions Committees papers

War Pension Committees (W.P.C.s) were established by statutory orders under the War Pensions Act 1921. They were voluntary bodies, independent of the ministry. Each committee included representatives of disabled ex-servicemen and others, widows and dependants, local authorities, employers, workers and voluntary associations. They were appointed by the Ministry's H.Q. (Division A.4C) on behalf of the minister though nominations were sought from organisations representative of the above groups.

The main functions of the committees were to make recommendations to the minister as to the administration of war pensions in their particular areas, to hear complaints by pensioners on applicants and make representations thereon to the minister, and to enquire into matters referred to them by the minister.

The committees also played an important part in the War Pensioners' Welfare Service. To assist them in the welfare aspect of their work, W.P.C.s secured the assistance and co-operation of voluntary workers. They were also empowered to appoint sub-committees for general and special subjects, including child care and civilian injuries. Welfare activities included visiting the disabled and elderly war widows, and arranging for the care of orphans and other children in need of care. Members of the committee were also invited to assist with the running of the Homecrafts Service.

Every year in each Region, under the chairmanship of the Controller, a meeting was held of all the W.P.C. Chairmen which was attended either by the minister or by the parliamentary secretary. This enabled the minister to acquaint the chairman at first hand with news of recent developments so far as war pensions were concerned, and at the same time gave the chairmen an opportunity of submitting for discussion general questions relating to the administration of the war pensions scheme. Chairmen were asked to give notice to the Controllers of any such questions which they wished to raise at the meeting.

Each of the 155 W.P.C.s in the United Kingdom were established under a Statutory Order which lay down the total membership (which could not exceed 25) and the number of members to represent each of the groups mentioned above.

W.P.C.s were responsible for electing from the members their own chairman and vice-chairman. So long as he remained a member of the committee a chairman or vice-chairman held office until the end of the W.P.C.'s period of office or for such shorter period as may be prescribed by the W.P.C. in the resolutions recording the appointments. The period of office of W.P.C.s was laid down by means of a War Pensions Committee (Extension Order). Committees had a life of five years.

The committees were continued after 1953.

A special British War Pensions Advisory Committee carried out the functions of the committees in the Irish Republic.