HC Deb 26 July 1916 vol 84 cc1653-5
20. Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of John Foley, Kilgobnet, Beaufort, county Kerry, who joined the Army in February, 1916, any allowance has been made to his father; whether he is aware that the father is in very poor circumstances, is over sixty years, and has only this son; and whether, under these circumstances, his case will be specially considered?

Mr. FORSTER

If the hon. Member will let me know the soldier's regiment, rank, and regimental number, inquiry will be made.

28. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Secretary of State for War why the mother of Private Joe Sullivan, No. 12,840, No. 8110 Gordon Highlanders, attached to 40 Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, Mrs. John Shiels, alias Sullivan, of Ballylahiff, Newcastle West, county Limerick, is not receiving her allowance, although her son says he is contributing towards it; whether when he was in the Irish Guards, which regiment he left to join the Gordon Highlanders, she received last November £l 9s. 6d. from the War Office; and whether, as she is a poor woman, he will take steps to see that she receives her allowance without any further delay?

Mr. FORSTER

The hon. Member has written to me about this case and inquiry "is being made.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Seeing that the question was asked a week ago, why has not the hon. Gentleman received a reply?

Mr. FORSTER

I am sorry the hon. Gentleman has not had a reply. I am sure it is an, over sight and I regret it.

32. Mr. BOLAND

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital have considered the application of Private Denis Donnelly, Irish Guards, Caherdaniel, county Kerry, who was invalided home from service at the front; and, if so, what increase has been granted on the conditional pension previously granted to him?

Mr. FORSTER

The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital have recently received this case and given the man a conditional pension of 12s. 6d. a week for six months in lieu of his former pension of 5s. 3d. a week (9d. a day).

33. Mr. BARNES

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the question of the amount of allowance to dependants, part and wholly dependent, has yet been settled; and, if so, when the amended warrant will be issued?

Mr. FORSTER

It has been decided to amend the scale of pensions of partially dependant parents of soldiers who have been killed. In future the present pension of 5s. a week will be increased by such an amount as will, with ,any income received by the dependant, make up the total income to a sum not exceeding 10s. to 12s. a week according to the soldier's rank or to the amount of ascertained dependence if less. The amending warrant will be published as soon as possible.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my hon. Friend say whether that is for one or both periods?

Mr. FORSTER

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question.

42. Mr. MALCOLM

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, whilst the whole question of war pensions is now under review, he will favourably consider the proposition that pensions for wounds, being a gift from the nation, shall be free from taxation?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)

I do not think it would be possible to single out this class of pension for special treatment in" the way suggested by the hon. Member.