HC Deb 16 April 1918 vol 105 cc207-9
40. Mr. J. P. FARRELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will inquire into the case of Private M. Dunne, No. 52215, Northumberland Fusiliers, whose parents in Cooldong, Abbeylara, county Longford, are getting no Government allowance in his respect, only the sum granted out of his pay, and who are both in a very poor state owing to war prices and having no means of support?

Mr. FORSTER

I informed the hon. Member by letter in December last that Mrs. Dunne's claim to separation allowance was disallowed by the old age pension authorities because dependence on the soldier could not be established, but that she might appeal against this finding on a form obtainable at any post office. I will inquire further and communicate with the hon. Member.

Mr. FARRELL

As this case has been under consideration for some considerable time, will the right hon. Gentleman act promptly?

Mr. FORSTER

As promptly as possible.

61. Mr. HECTOR MORISON

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention was called on the 5th February last to the case of Lance-corporal J. Laurence, No. G 32185, Middlesex Regiment; if so, whether anything definite has been done in the case and, if not, whether the delay in dealing with it has been caused by the inaction of the local committee; and will he give the name of such committee?

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

This is an appeal case in which there has been, as the hon. Member suggests, considerable delay on the part of the local committee whose recommendation it was necessary to obtain. I do not know why it has not been possible for the committee to report earlier, but until this is explained I think it reasonable to assume that there has been some real difficulty. I am informed that the committee's report will be sent to the Ministry either to-day or to-morrow.

62. Mr. BOWERMAN

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of J. Ashton, at pre sent an inmate of the Long Grove Mental Hospital, Epsom; whether this man joined the Army in July or August, 1916, and, as a result of his service, is now a lunatic, and that it is proposed that he shall become chargeable to a London parish; and whether it is the practice for men who have become mentally deranged through Army service to be treated as pauper lunatics?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I cannot at present find any record of this man having served in the Army and consequently no application to have him classified as a service patient has been made. If the hon. Member will give me details of the man's military service, I will see that the matter is fully investigated.

59. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mr. E. H. Vant, formerly an officer in the Lincoln Regiment, was taken seriously ill with rheumatic fever on 8th May, 1917, some months after he was gazetted out of the Service; that the War Office authorised his admission to the Royal Herbert Hospital; that, by reason of neglect or carelessness on the part of an official of the Department concerned, this authorisation never reached him; and that, in consequence, he had to pay for his treatment, costing £73, out of his own pocket; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will take steps, in accordance with a promise made on 18th March, 1918, to have inquiries made with a view to the refunding of this sum to Mr. Vant?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I have again considered this ease, but I cannot add materially to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question of the 18th March. Mr. Vant did not incur medical expenses through any carelessness on the part of the Ministry of Pensions, and as those expenses were in respect of an illness contracted a considerable time after his retirement and not attributable either directly or indirectly to his service, I am not able to authorise any refund.

Colonel ASHLEY

From the public point of view, the Minister of Pensions does not say to whom he is to apply in order to get his just dues?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I understand that treatment was offered by the military authorities, and the application should be made to the military authorities. From the pensions point of view, the illness was not contracted in the Service, and not for a long time afterwards, and the Ministry of Pensions is obviously not responsible.