HC Deb 25 April 1917 vol 92 cc2379-80
33. Mr. BLAIR

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will take steps to speed up the machinery for notifying the pay offices in cases where a stoppage of allowance of the dependants of a soldier has to be made on account of their admittance into a rate-aided institution and so save the hardship of withdrawing payment warrants, until arrears are paid off, when they have left the institution?

Mr. FORSTER

There is no delay in the War Office, but it is found that guardians sometimes fail to send prompt notifications, with the resultant hardship to which my hon. Friend calls attention. I will consult with my right hon. Friend with a view-to receiving more prompt notifications.

52. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Ongar Board of Guardians have already admitted discharged soldiers to the workhouse who are in receipt of pensions; and whether, in view of this, he is prepared to consider the issue of such a minimum pension as will avoid a repetition of this state of affairs?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)

I am unable to trace having received any information from the Ongar Board of Guardians in the matter referred to in the hon. Member's question. It is not contemplated to issue a minimum pension sufficient for the support of a discharged soldier without any reference to the extent of his disability, but I am taking steps which I trust will prevent any man seriously disabled from having to be treated in workhouse infirmaries.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the steps he is proposing to take to prevent disabled and discharged men having recourse to the workhouse?

Mr. BARNES

It is not possible to answer that question adequately across the floor of the House. I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the new Royal Warrant.

Mr. WATSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the steps he proposes to take will apply to soldiers discharged before this War—soldiers who have earned pensions as the result of the Boer War and previous wars?

Mr. BARNES

Yes, as soon as we can reach them we will see to it.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pensions of these men referred to in this question are on the old Warrant of 1914, which is not disposed of by his new Warrant, and that therefore the proposal he now makes about the new Warrant would not bring these men out of the workhouse?

Mr. BARNES

I have nothing further to add. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will deal with the matter.