§ 69. Mr. HOHLERasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the considerable number of men invalided from the front who have temporarily lost their mental balance and have been sent to asylums, and that whilst there the local authorities claim and receive their pensions or allowances, leaving their wives and children to exist as best they may; and will he at once take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that adequate provision be made for the wives and children of these men?
§ Mr. FORSTERI understand that this question relates only to men discharged from the Army. Pensions are granted 26 primarily for the maintenance of the pensioner, but any balance is handed over to his family, and I may observe that asylum authorities frequently reduce or forego their claim if the family is in need.
§ Mr. HOHLERIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of men who have been afflicted in this manner are discharged from the Army, and that their wives and families are in absolute want, and will he take steps to remedy this state of things?
§ Mr. FORSTERCertainly. Whenever we have any reason to think that the family is in need we either do, or certainly shall, make strong representations to the asylum authorities.
§ Mr. HOHLERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the authorities claim that the Statute law requires some action on the part of the Government?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs I pointed out to my hon. and learned Friend the asylum authorities frequently, if not invariably, make either a reduction of, or forego altogether, their claim, when it is seen that the family is in need.