HC Deb 17 August 1916 vol 85 cc2061-2
73. Major ASTOR

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that under Section 3 (1) (j) of the Naval and Military War Pensions Act Parliament has placed on the Statutory Committee the duty and responsibility of making provision for the health and training of discharged disabled soldiers, and in view of the importance that suitable medical and surgical provision should be made available without further delay for the large number of men already needing special treatment over and above what the ordinary general practitioner can give, it is to be understood that the £6,000,000 recently promised to that Committee from the Exchequer is to be available towards these purposes or whether the necessary expenditure of the Committee in carrying out this duty is to be provided from the Exchequer in some other mannr; and, if so, how and when?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It is not the intention that the £6,000,000 (though calculated on the estimated cost of pensions) shall be earmarked to the payment of pensions, and the Statutory Committee will have power to expend it on any other of their statutory functions.

80. Mr. KILBRIDE

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a man named Peregoy, a wounded soldier, discharged from the 2nd Royal Dublin Fusi Iiers, on 29th October, 1915, has been deprived of portion of his pension, although he at the time of his discharge, with the rank of corporal, being a married man with one child, was entitled to the additional allowance prescribed by the Army Order, August, 1915, namely, corporal 2s. a week and 2s. 6d. a week for each child; and will he say why such deduction was made in his case, and if steps will be taken to have this man's case dealt with in accordance with Regulations?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiry is being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

Mr. SCANLAN

In view of the fact stated in the question, that this man was discharged on the 29th October, 1915, can the hon. Gentleman promise that the matter will be disposed of at a very early date?

Mr. FORSTER

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be no avoidable delay.