HC Deb 06 June 1940 vol 361 cc985-6
17. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Pensions, when he hopes to arrive at a decision relative to the claim for a pension for the father, unable to work owing to ill-health, of boy Joseph Williams, reference 2181/1939, who was drowned on active service in the Navy during the early stages of the present war?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Miss Wilkinson)

My hon. Friend wrote to the hon. Member yesterday informing him that the circumstances of the case did not at the present moment enable him to grant a pension. At the same time the applicant has, I am glad to say, established his title to pension in the event of any material worsening of the circumstances, and it will then be open to him to revive his application.

Mr. Davies

Are we to understand that in this case, where the father has been ill for 12 years and this boy has contributed to the household, the father is not entitled to a pension?

Miss Wilkinson

We have had a discussion on this case to-day, and my hon. Friend considers that certain questions of principle are involved. I think he will be able to send the hon. Member a letter on the subject in a short time.

18. Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give an assurance that pensioners who join the Local Defence Volunteers will not have their pension rights affected in any way?

Miss Wilkinson

I can assure the hon. Member that Service disablement pensions are in no way affected by the fact that the pensioner may join the Local Defence Volunteer Force.