HC Deb 13 November 1917 vol 99 cc202-3
30. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Pensions Minister if he will say whether, in the assessment of an award to a dependant, Class A, dependency is determined by the amount of the Government allowance upon the required allotment?

32. Sir GEORGE TOULMIN

asked whether, in the assessment of an award to a dependant, Class A, dependency is determined by the amount of the Government allowance upon the required allotment?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)

Dependence for the purposes of pension is determined by the support given by the soldier prior to the outbreak of war, or enlistment if later, as laid down in Article 24 (7) of the Royal Warrant of the 29th March last. In the absence of any reason for questioning the finding, the assessment made for separation allowance is accepted.

Mr. HOGGE

Yes, but that does not answer my question whether in the assessment dependency is determined by the amount of the Government allowance upon the required allotment; that is to say, does the assessment depend on that part of the allowance which comes from the Government, or does it take into consideration also that part of the allotment which is compulsory to get an allowance?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Yes, those two parts, the voluntary allowance and the Government allowance, depend upon the dependence before the War, and we accept that unless some question is raised.

31. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Pensions Minister why, if the amount of the required allotment in the case of a dependant class A is not included in the amount of the assessed dependency, such allotment should be compulsory?

33. Sir G. TOULMIN

asked why, if the amount of the required allotment in the case of a dependant, Class A, is not included in the amount of the assessed dependency, such allotment should be compulsory?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)

I have been asked to reply to this question and No. 33 and I will answer them together. The required allotment is included in the amount of the assessed dependency.