HC Deb 22 March 1917 vol 91 cc2050-1
44. Mr. GOLDSTONE

asked the Pensions Minister whether any pension or gratuity is payable in respect of a soldier killed in action if such soldier's father is still serving with the Colours; and, if not, whether it is proposed to alter a procedure which has the effect of penalizing long military service performed by men whose sons are also serving?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part that it is proposed under the new Royal Warrant that a woman whose husband is serving with the Colours should be granted a pension in respect of a soldier son killed in action within the limit of pre-war dependence on that son and not exceeding 15s. a week.

62. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Pensions Minister, concerning the case of ex-Private Harry Jackson, No. 10573, 3rd Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, who enlisted in September, 1914, was sent to France in December, 1914, was gassed on Hill 60 in June, 1915, and subsequently, after repeated lapses into a state of mentally deficiency, was finally discharged into Menston Asylum on 16th December last, whether he is aware that Private Jackson's wife is only in receipt of 10s. per week for herself and a baby nine months old, after the guardians had deducted 12s. from her husband's pension for his maintenance; if he will state the amount of the pension ex-Private Jackson will be entitled to under the new Royal Warrant; whether the amount will be subject to deduction by the guardians; and, if so, what will be the net weekly sum due to her under the Warrant?

Mr. BARNES

I am informed that the facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question except that Mrs. Jackson is in receipt of 12s. weekly in respect of the balance of her husband's pension. Under the draft Royal Warrant such a case would be dealt with by the grant of an allowance under Article 6, and the wife would, during the period of her husband's detention in an asylum, receive an amount not less than the pension and allowance for children to which she would have been entitled had she been a widow. In this case the allowance would be 18s. 9d. weekly.