§ 33. Mr. R. MCNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of the death of a soldier's wife who has been in receipt of allotment and separation allowance, there are any means by which these allowances can be paid to a female relative of the soldier who undertakes the care of his children and who has no other means of support; and whether, if no such machinery exists, he will amend the Regulations on the subject so as to cover such cages?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf a soldier's wife dies, separation allowance for the children is paid at the special rate applicable to motherless children, namely, 5s. per week for each child. The children's allowances are paid to the relative or the guardian who undertakes the care of the children. This allowance is irrespective of any allotment which the soldier may make.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs it not the fact that where the wife of a soldier on active service dies, and a sister of the man, or some 326 other person, takes charge of the soldier's child, the allowance of 17s. 6d. that had been made to the deceased wife is reduced to 5s. a week, and in the circumstances how can the house possibly be kept together?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend's statement is not quite correct. The 17s. 6d. to which he refers of course includes the compulsory or necessary allotment made by the soldier. The 5s. is irrespective of any allotment the soldier may make. There is a difference after the death of the wife, as the flat rate ceases and the motherless rate takes its place.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs there any reason why the soldier whose wife dies while he is on active service should be in a worse position than a man who is a widower when he enlists?
§ Mr. FORSTERThat is the direct recommendation made by the Select Committee.
44. Mr. M. BARLOWasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay that still exists in making arrangements for granting pensions in many cases to wounded and disabled soldiers; and whether he can make provision for securing that the assessing of pensions can be accelerated?
§ Mr. FORSTERArrangements have been made to accelerate the assessment of pension to these men, and, in the meantime, an allowance of 10s. or 20s. a week is being paid from date of discharge as an advance of pension. If my hon. Friend knows of actual cases in which not even this allowance is being received, I should be glad to have particulars of them.
Mr. BARLOWI beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at an early date.
§ Mr. FORSTERThe War Office.
§ 56. Mr. HOGGEasked when the warrant dealing with pensions for the widows and dependants of men who have died from disease contracted in or aggravated by service will be issued?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis was published with July Army Orders. My hon. Friend has, I hope, received the copy which I sent to him yesterday.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say where the application for these pensions is to be made, and whether there is a time limit?
§ Mr. FORSTERPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice.
Mr. T. WILSONWill the hon. Gentleman issue this Warrant amongst the Parliamentary Papers, so that every Member of the House may see it?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think so. I will see to it.
§ 58. Sir B. FALLEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private F. Wallis, No. 32341, D Company, 84th provisional battalion Hants Regiment, now at Herne Bay, has been called up over four weeks, and that a ring paper sent to Mrs. Wallis omits any payment for her five children, though forms and their birth certificates have been sent in; if he will have this matter seen to; and if he is aware that this is not an isolated case in this battalion?
§ Mr. FORSTERInquiry will be made, and the hon. Member informed of the result.
§ 53. Mr. DIXONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if it is still the policy of the Government under the Naval and Military Pensions Act, 1915, to make a certain Grant to the Statutory Committee and to leave any deficiency to be made up by private charity; and if the Government have received any protests from public bodies asking that all pensions and all expenses of administering the Act should be paid for out of moneys provided by Parliament?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)It has not been the policy of the Government to prohibit private benevolence to disabled soldiers and sailors, which would be the effect of requiring all payments to the Statutory Committee to be made from the Exchequer. Such protests as have been received have apparently been made under a misapprehension which I hope to take an early opportunity of removing.
§ Mr. McKENNAThat question should be put to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. J. SAMUELMay I ask if it is not the intention of the Treasury to find all the money for Supplementary Grants for pensions? If that was made clear it would settle it.
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Treasury is finding sufficient money for that purpose, but the Treasury does not make itself responsible for the actual method of the spending of the money.