§ 39. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Pensions Minister if discharged soldiers are entitled to pensions as from the date of discharge; if not, will he consider the advisability of making pensions retrospective as from the date of discharge instead of from the date on which the claim is established, in order to prevent hardships due to delay in establishing or admifting claims?
The PARLIAMENTARI SECRETARI to the MINISTRI of PENSIONS (Sir Arthur Griffith-Boseawen)If the claim to pension on the part of the man discharged on account of medical unfitness for further service is allowed in the 1731 ordinary course or on appeal, if the appeal is made within three months of the original disallowance, he is given his pension from the date of discharge, but if he delays his appeal more than three months the pension, when subsequently granted, will only carry arrears from the date of his first application. In the case of a man not discharged on account of medical unfitness for further service, but who subsequently becomes disabled owing to causes due to his service, the date of commencement of pension is that from which his claim to it is established.
§ 40 and 103. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Pensions Minister (1) if he is aware of the sending out to discharged soldiers of Army Form 3529 requesting them to sign a statement to the effect that they agree that any pension granted on transfer to the Reserve should cease if they are recalled to the Colours; if so, will he say if this form is in accordance with paragraphs I and 2 of Army Council Instruction 1131 of 1917, and has been sent out with the sanction of the Ministry of Pensions; will he state what the effect of signing or not signing this form has upon the men from a pensions point of view; (2) if he is aware that discharged soldiers are having sent to them a form in which they are requested to sign and return a statement to the effect that they agree that any pension granted to them on transfer to the Reserve will cease from the date of their rejoining in the event of their being recalled to the Colours; and, if so, will he explain what is the object of sending out this form and what the effect is upon a discharged soldier who signs it and also upon one who does not sign it?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)The form in question was used for men temporarily transferred to Class P of the Army Reserve who drew pension until recalled to the Colours. No transfers to Class P have taken place since last July, and Class P Reservists have been discharged. The form, therefore, is altogether out-of-date, and should not now be used, and if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of cases where it is now being used inquiries will be made with a view to the practice being stopped.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERDo I understand that it is not correct in the form in which it is being used or has been used?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes.
§ 41. Mr. WATTasked the Pensions Minister whether there is any income the possession of which precludes the widow or mother of a deceased soldier from receiving a pension; and, if so, will he say what is that income?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe pension of a widow is irrespective of income, as is also that of a mother whose claim to pension rests on pre-war dependence. But under the concessions announced last September, pensions are now also paid to parents who cannot establish pre-war dependence, provided that there is pecuniary need. In such cases the possession of income is obviously a material factor, but it is not the only factor, and therefere a precise limit of income cannot be fixed.
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe officers' warrant is different. If the hon. Member wishes to know the exact provision for officers, I would be glad if he would give notice of the question.