HC Deb 19 October 1916 vol 86 cc732-3
74. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether widows and dependants of soldiers who have died in Mesopotamia are excluded from participating in the benefits of the Statutory Committee?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

The Statutory Committee have obtained a legal opinion to the effect that payments by them "can only be made in favour of members of the forces paid out of the public funds of the United Kingdom and their dependants." Hence the answer to the question of my hon. Friend appears to be that the widows and dependants of soldiers who have fallen in Mesopotamia can participate in the funds administered by the Statutory Committee if the soldiers were paid out of the public funds of the United Kingdom, but not otherwise.

Mr. PRINGLE

Are we to understand that these soldiers, who form part of the Mesopotamia Expedition and are paid out of Indian revenue, get nothing from the Statutory Committee?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

That is what we have been led to suppose by the legal opinion taken in the matter.

Mr. PRINGLE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Government takes steps to make provision for these men?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

That is a question which ought to be addressed to the Secretary of State for India.

Mr. J. SAMUEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the War Pensions Act is based upon a voluntary scheme which is entirely in the hands of the Statutory Committee, and can he say whether they would award any money in that case?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

So far as voluntary funds are concerned it may be open to that interpretation, although I doubt it. If my hon. Friend desires it we will take further opinion as to whether it is possible to devote any portion of voluntary funds for that purpose.

Mr. SAMUEL

The Act has not been altered.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

May I ask whether any question of the scope of the Statutory Committee as to what soldiers it extends to is a question for the Government of India?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

As to the interpretation of the Act of Parliament which governs the distribution of these funds, if the Statutory Committee are in doubt they would take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether they could apply any of their funds to those fighting in Mesopotamia?

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Is the question whether the powers of the Statutory Committee should be extended a question for the Secretary of State for India?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

That would be a question for the Government.

Sir E. CARSON

Having regard to the urgency of this matter, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will bring the matter before the Secretary of State for India and have provision made for the widows and children of those who have lost their lives in Mesopotamia?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

My right hon. Friend knows that I am very sympathetic in all these cases whether in my office or out of it. I will address a letter to the Secretary of State for India and the head of the Government asking whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to provide in any way for the victims of the Mesopotamia campaign in the same manner that the victims of other campaigns are provided for.

Mr. PRINGLE

Cannot the Government amend the Act of Parliament which deals with the Statutory War Pensions Committee?

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