HC Deb 22 November 1916 vol 87 cc1409-10
38. Mr. A. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Private E. Robson, late No. 29829, No. 6 Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was discharged from the Army on 30th July after serving for one year and 126 days and is now a physical wreck, disabled by rheumatoid arthritis from following his employment; whether he is aware that up to the time of joining the Army he was free from rheumatism, and that the books of the company which employed him show that he was in regular work; and will he say upon what grounds the Chelsea Commissioners refuse this man any pension?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiries are being made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

77. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the steadily increasing cost of living and the hardships which soldiers' wives and dependants are enduring, whether he can state definitely when the Government proposes to increase the allowances and to what extent?

The PRIME MINISTER

This matter is being reconsidered.

Mr. HOGGE

If we bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend that many soldiers' wives are actually pawning the goods out of their houses in order to get food, can he not give an undertaking that the Cabinet will come to a decision within the next week?