§ 23. Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to cases where the award of separation allowances on account of a son's enlistment appears to jeopardise the issue of old age pensions; and what is the intention of the Board with regard to such cases?
§ Mr. ACLANDIt has been decided that no steps are to be taken to reduce existing old age pensions in respect of increases of income due to the receipt of separation allowances.
§ 25. Mr. CAUTLEYasked the President of the Local Government Board when provision will be made for the expenses incurred by local pension committees, and the salaries of their officials, in performing the additional duties laid upon them by the Government of investigating claims to the new allowances granted to the dependants of those who fall in the War; and, if necessary, seeing that the matter has been before the Treasury for at least five months, will he urge the Treasury to expedite their decision?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERasked when and how it is proposed to provide for the expenditure of local pension committees which has necessarily been incurred on behalf of the Government since 27th October last in dealing with claims for separation allowance (Navy and Army); and whether he is aware that inconvenience is being caused to such committees by the delay in issuing the necessary scheme for the provision of funds?
§ Mr. ACLANDIt has been decided as a provisional arrangement that the remuneration of the clerks of pension committees and sub-committees in connection with claims to Navy and Army separation allowances shall be by a fee for each claim dealt with. Charges for the hire of rooms for meetings of committees and sub-committees will also be payable within certain limits. The necessary financial instructions have been issued to pension committees.
§ 95. Mr. JOYNSON - HICKSasked whether the widows of Territorial officers killed in action have the same pension rights as those of Regular officers?
§ 99. Mr. WINGasked if a dependant's allowance should be paid from the date on which the soldier makes an allotment of 6d. per day from his Army pay?
§ Mr. BAKERDependant's allowance is payable from date of application, or from date of the soldier's enlistment if the application is received within ten days.
§ Mr. BENTHAMCan the Chancellor of the Exchequer say when the Government will introduce a Bill which will carry out the recommendation of the Special Committee on the Pensions and Allowances to Widows and Dependants, and especially as the twenty-six weeks' limit they were originally granted has now expired?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.