§ 31. Mr. RENDALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what principle the War Office acts in deciding what pension or compensation soldiers shall receive, who are discharged from the Army as the result of mental injury sustained whilst serving with the Colours; whether consideration is given to their inability to support themselves, their inability to support their family, the extra expense of their maintenance by their friends, and the stigma attaching to them in seeking employment if they are fortunate enough to recover; and whether he will make a full statement on this matter before the Mental Treatment Bill is proceeded with?
Mr. BAKERThe amount of pension depends on the degree of disability, and no doubt these cases will generally come into the class of the totally incapacitated. The rates of pension are shown in para- 956 graphs 15–18 of the First Report of the Select Committee. There is power to apply the pension for the benefit of a soldier who cannot manage his own affairs.