ABSTRACT
In March 1939, 877,400 pensioners of the 1914–18 war, and dependants of pensioners, were still on the payroll of the Ministry of Pensions. The total cost of war pensions since 1914, together with administrative costs, had, by that date, amounted to £1,315,000,000. War pensions today form one of the major branches of social security. The disability pensions which operate today vary widely, both in amount and in type, from those operating in the early days of the 1914 war. The principle of the pre-1914 Warrants was soon found inapplicable to a civilian army; the rates of pensions were obviously inadequate. An important part of the provision for disablement takes the form of medical treatment. A man for whose disability the Ministry accepts responsibility may be required, if necessary, to undergo medical or surgical treatment in an institution or otherwise. The Civilians Scheme is a security development of the 1939 war.
