§ 6. Mr. WATTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether warrant officers who are in receipt of pensions and who have obtained the Military Cross, thus entitling them under Articles 775 and 1,157 of the Royal Warrant to 6d. per day increase of 1269 pension, axe being refused this increase on the ground that they were holding temporary commissions when they won the decoration; and whether this has the sanction of his Department, in view of the fact that these men are not eligible for retired pay as officers?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo additional pension or gratuity is given in respect of the Military Cross to a commissioned officer.
§ 16. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the hardship among pensioned soldiers owing to the fact that when the draft book for pensions allowances is finished there is a delay of many weeks before the Baker Street office issue a new book, and that complaints made to that office in regard to this matter receive no attention; and will he, in view of the hardship to these men in being deprived for several weeks of their allowance, have the matter given immediate attention?
§ Mr. FORSTERIn cases of ordinary renewal a new book is issued a week before the old one expires. Delays are, I understand, not common, and are usually due to the failure of the pensioner to forward his life certificate at the right time. I am informed that complaints always receive attention.
§ 19. Mr. HOGGEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will explain on what grounds payment of a gratuity or pension is deferred to a parent if there is another son serving for whom he or she is drawing an allowance; whether the parent is entitled; and, if not, will he state the reason?
§ Mr. FORSTERIn certain cases, where one or two or more sons had been killed, payment of gratuity was suspended lest it should prejudice a claimant's pension subsequently arising; but orders have already been given not to defer payment on these grounds.
§ 21. Mr. JOWETTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office concerning No. 7438, Private C. Brook, 9th Durham Light Infantry, C Company, 12th Platoon, British Expeditionary Force, France, a soldier who left his home and four motherless children, aged one, four, seven, and nine, respectively, when he joined the Army in the care of his sister-in-law Miss A. E. Taylor, who was then 1270 and is now acting as foster-mother to his children, whether he is aware that Private Brook when he joined the Army on 19th July last applied for dependant's separation allowance for Miss Taylor and his four children whereas payment was only made for the children; if he is aware that during the four months Private Brook was under training before he was sent to France he repeatedly asked for the omission to pay separation allowance for his children's foster-mother to be rectified; if he is aware that the hon. Member for West Bradford wrote to him on 7th October last explaining the whole circumstances of the case and pressing for payment of the full amount due, and again on 28th October pressing for early settlement, and that no detailed reply to the letter of 7th October was received until 7th November, when a letter was received which erroneously stated that Private Brook had not claimed separation allowance for Miss Taylor, whereas, in point of fact, Private Brook did claim for her and was assured by the person in charge at the Bradford recruiting office, whose name Private Brook believes to be Mr. C. Davidson, that all was in order, and Miss Taylor would be paid her allowance; if he will ascertain whether the matter has now been put right and all the arrears have been paid; and, if not, whether he will take steps to put it right and cause the arrears to be paid as soon as possible?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am unable to say whether all the facts are as stated, but as I informed the hon. Member on the 7th November, Private Brook on enlistment claimed separation allowance for his children, but not for Miss Taylor. The Territorial Force Association has already been instructed to take steps to obtain a claim in favour of Miss Taylor for investigation.
§ 22. Mr. JOWETTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office respecting the late Private M. Halstead, No. 3942, 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, who enlisted on 9th November, 1915, and made an allotment of 3s. 6d. per week out of his pay when he enlisted and claimed separation allowance for his mother at the same time, and whose letters to his mother proved that up to the date on which he was killed in action, namely, 17th August, 1916, he was continually trying to get a settlement of the amount due to his mother for separation allowance, but with- 1271 out success; if he is aware that the War Office have decided to pay separation allowance for twenty-six weeks from the date on which the soldier's mother was notified of her son's death, but not for the period during which the soldier was ineffectually trying to secure payment to his mother of the amount due to her; and if he will see that the arrears which accumulated during the period in question are acknowledged and paid?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs I informed the hon. Member by letter on the 6th instant, authority has been given for the payment of arrears of separation allowance from the date of enlistment.
§ 71. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement about increased separation allowances?
§ Mr. FORSTERA scheme is under consideration at the Treasury.
§ Mr. HOGGEMay I ask whether the results of this deliberation with the Treasury will be made known before the House rises for the holidays, or will the House have to wait until February?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Chancellor of the Exchequer asked me to say that the utmost expedition would be used. We are very anxious that the House should have the scheme before it in order that it may judge of it.
§ Mr. HOGGEShall we know before the House adjourns on Friday, or shall we require to wait until February?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)Perhaps I might be permitted to answer. The scheme is one which involves a very large sum of money. It is being carefully examined, with every desire to expedite it, but obviously the House will not expect it to be rushed without proper examination.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhat I want to know is, shall we require to wait until the House reassembles in February before we know we can get an answer?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI thought I had given the answer. It will be dealt with before the House rises if it can be dealt with in that time properly and adequately. If not, the House must wait.