HC Deb 21 October 1915 vol 74 cc1999-2000
72. Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, why the military authorities have refused to increase the allowance of 7s. 4d. to 9s. 4d. per week to Mary A. Greham, widow, mother of Corporal James P. Greham, No. 3143, E Company, 4th battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, as recommended by the local pension committee; whether he is aware that this soldier before enlistment was the sole means of support of his widowed mother and a sister who is a permanent invalid; and will he have inquiry made into the case and see that Widow Greham is fairly treated?

Mr. FORSTER

I will inquire and inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

74. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, in the case of a soldier who in 1914 completed the full term for which he had enlisted, whose father died in that year leaving a widow wholly dependent on the. soldier son, who was entitled to go home in due course to support his mother but was detained on account of the War, whether, in these circumstances, the widowed mother will be treated as a dependant of a newly enlisted soldier; and, if so, what allowance will be made, and when, to Mrs. Wheatley, Killucan, mother and dependant of No. 9204, Corporal J. Wheatley, East Lancashire Regiment?

Mr. FORSTER

No, Sir. Under the recommendations of the Select Committee Mrs. Wheatley cannot be treated as a dependant of the soldier since the dependancy, if any, did not exist prior to the outbreak of war. The case is one, however, which will be referred to the new authority to be set up under the Pensions Bill.

Mr. HOGGE

How does the hon. Gentleman justify giving a separation allowance or pension to a woman who marries a soldier, seeing she was not dependent upon him before the outbreak of the War?

Mr. FORSTER

Soldiers' wives have been treated very considerately.

Mr. HOGGE

This was not a wife.

75. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what the law or rule is settling the duration or period of continuance of allowances to dependants of soldiers who have died in action?

Mr. FORSTER

The rule is to continue payment for twenty-six weeks from the date of notification of death, but, pending the settlement of a pension scheme for dependants, payment is being continued beyond that period at rates not exceeding the pension rates for widows and children.