HC Deb 17 January 1918 vol 101 cc485-8
41. Sir M BARLOW

asked the Pensions Minister whether provision can be made for the war pensions committees to pay allowances to discharged soldiers pending arrangements for their training generally on the same lines on which limited allowances are paid to men awaiting treatment?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen)

The question of payment of allowances to dis- charged soldiers pending arrangements for their training has not yet been, but I hope will shortly be, settled.

Sir M. BARLOW

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is causing great difficulty, and will he give immediate attention to it?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

We will give it all the attention we can.

42. Sir M. BARLOW

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to William Ross Cody, No. 3487, South Lancashire Regiment, discharged 21st October, 1915, whether he has received various notices that he is entitled to sums and has received these sums accordingly; whether, in spite of this fact, he has now been informed that £9 paid him by the war pensions committee on 7th July, 1917, was by way of advance only, which he is now being compelled to repay; whether £3 15s. is still claimed to be owing; and whether, in view of the unfairness on men of making claims for repayment of this character, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Nine pounds advanced to Mr. William Ross Cody in sums of 15s. at twelve different dates by his war pensions committee should have been recovered from arrears of the pension on account of which the advances were made. These arrears amounted to £13 15s., but as £10 of this amount was paid to Mr. Cody before the committee's account was received, the recovery from pension will be limited to the balance of £3 15s.

43. Sir M. BARLOW

asked the Pensions Minister whether a woman who has been receiving a supplementary grant on account of rent in addition to her separation allowance while her husband is alive ceases to be entitled to this supplementary grant for rent when the separation allowance ceases or six months after her husband's death; and whether, seeing that in many cases the pension payable when separation ceases is less than the separation allowance, he will take steps to see that, at any rate in hard cases, provision may be made for continuing the rent allowance at the discretion of the local committee?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

The position is corrrectly stated in the first part of the hon. Member's question, but I may remind him that the hard cases of which he speaks can in general be met either by the award of an alternative pension based on the pre-war earnings of the husband under Article 13 of the Royal Warrant or by the grant of a supplementary allowance under the Regulations (Part I.) of the Special Grants Committee.

Sir M. BARLOW

Would the Pensions Minister consider whether it would be possible to circularise the local authorities to the effect, at any rate, of the last portion of the answer, because I do not think they are aware of their powers?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Does my hon. Friend mean local authorities or local pension committees?

Sir M. BARLOW

Local pension committees.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

The grant of a supplementary allowance is under the Regulations of the Special Grants Committee.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the pension which he has suggested as an alternative is not available in the greatest average of cases brought before the committees, and can his Department not see their way to make available to the widows and children of men the same advantages as are made available to the wives and children of serving men by the Special Grants Committee of the Ministry of Pensions?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I am quite aware that the alternative pension is not available to most widows, but there is the other plan I have indicated. I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend proposes.

Colonel YATE

When a supplementary grant on account of rent is given, are steps always taken to see that that rent is paid?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I must have notice of the question.

Colonel YATE

Will my hon. and gallant Friend inquire into that?

Mr. STANTON

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction with many of the appointments of pension officers in South Wales by councils, committees, and public; if he will see that only men who have lived in South Wales and know the conditions and home lives of the people are appointed; is he aware that unrest prevails among poor families who can prove that they have not been treated fairly and justly by some of these officers; and if he will make inquiries from the various local pensions committees with a view of removing the grievances of those people whose sons are in the Army?

Mr. DUDLEY WARD (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)

As regards the first and third parts of the question, I am not aware of the dissatisfaction and unrest referred to, or that poor families have been treated unfairly and unjustly by pension officers. From their training and experience pension officers are exceptionally qualified for their duties in connection with old age pensions and dependants' separation allowances, and their reports are in all cases submitted for consideration by local pension committees. I see no reason, therefore, to take the action suggested in the second and fourth parts of the question.