HC Deb 11 May 1915 vol 71 cc1460-2
24. Mr. RAFFAN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any machinery has now been provided by which an applicant for a separation allowance can appeal from the decision of the pension officer and the old age pensions committee?

Mr. BAKER

Yes, Sir. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the poster referring to such appeals which was published on 1st March last.

75. Mr. MEAGHER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there is any rule or regulation by which pension sub-committees are to be made aware of the decisions of the Army authorities on the claims submitted to pension committees by dependants of soldiers for separation allowances when the decision of the pension sub-committees is not in agreement with the decision of the pension officers who first report on the claims; and whether, if there be no such rule or regulation, he will see his way to have instructions given to have the decision of the Army authorities or Admiralty authorities made known to the pension sub-committees so that each case may be completed on the registers of claims?

Mr. BAKER

The decision is, of course, made known to the claimant, but no general desire has been shown for its notification to the pension committee as well. It is most desirable to avoid adding to the mass of correspondence already involved in these cases, but if in any particular case the information is asked for, it can be given.

76. Mr. MEAGHER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that there are three children of Private John Grout, D Company, 3rd Leinster Regiment, now stationed at Cork, on Poor Law relief in Castlecomar Union; and whether, seeing that these children are without a mother and that the father is prepared to have them leave the work house and have them taken charge of outside the Poor Law, he will see that the allowance of 5s. a week each to which the children are entitled is passed to them and that the grant will date as from the 15th March last, the date on which application was made to the regimental paymaster, Cork, for this allownce?

Mr. BAKER

In the event of the children being removed from the workhouse separation allowance, at the motherless rate will, on the fact being notified to the regimental paymaster, Cork, be issuable to their guardian as from the date of such removal. The allowance is not issuable for any period during which the children were chargeable to the Poor Law authorities.