HC Deb 17 April 1917 vol 92 cc1500-1
7. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Pensions Minister when the new Royal Warrants for officers and nurses will be ready?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)

Good progress is being made with the drafting of these Warrants, and I am in consultation with my statutory advisers in regard to them.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hon. Friend say whether we shall have an opportunity of discussing the new Warrants for officers and nurses?

Mr. BARNES

Certainly.

8. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Pensions Pensions Minister whether he now proposes to make public the scale on which gratuities are to be paid?

Mr. BARNES

I have at present nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 30th ultimo.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the public and the House of Commons cannot have made known to them the scale upon which their money is being spent for this purpose?

Sir H. CRAIK

Is it not the case that these gratuities must be paid, not according to a scale, but according to the circumstances in each individual case?

Mr. BARNES

Partly that, and partly not. It is untrue to talk about a scale, though there is a scale set up to a part of the maximum amount, and then there is an amount of money left wherewith to give portions according to the merits of each particular case. There is no reason that I know of why it should not be made public, except that it is in an experimental stage.

28. Mr. HOGGE

I will raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment to-night.

28. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now considered the establishment of an Appeal Court to which discharged men could appeal before their disabilities are met by the payment of a gratuity; and whether he can say what the Government propose to do in the matter?

Mr. BARNES

The Government have considered the matter, and propose to establish such a Court as is referred to in my hon. Friend's question. But in consequence of the pressure of other work it has not been possible to complete the arrangements for establishing the Court, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would repeat his question a fortnight hence.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of setting up a small office in London where discharged soldiers can call and ascertain their position in regard to benefits under the Pension Act?

Mr. BARNES

The Court is being set up for that purpose.