HC Deb 10 January 1916 vol 77 cc1284-5
68. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what payment is made to dependants after the expiry of twenty-six weeks from the date of the soldier's death; whether a payment is made of dependancy allowance only; whether all arrears are paid in cases where there has been any interval between the end of the twenty-six weeks and the payment of dependancy allowance; and whether these arrangements have been necessary owing to the failure of the Government to set up the new Statutory Committee expeditiously?

Mr. FORSTER

After the expiry of the twenty-six weeks the dependant is entitled to such gratuity or pension as the scheme recently laid before the House provides. The instructions are that gratuities are paid as soon as possible after cessation of separation allowance and pension is issued in continuation of separation allowance, without interval. Where there is doubt as to the amount of pension, depending upon health and other circumstances, the maximum rate issuable under the scheme is paid pending final assessment

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hon. Friend say by whose authority the War Office does not pay the full allowance up to the period that the dependant began to claim; can he also say when the House of Commons determined that that should be so[...]

Mr. FORSTER

I do not quite see my hon. Friend's point.

Mr. HOGGE

I will put a question on the Paper.