§ 28. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Hugh M'Lean, No. 203,428, Labour Corps, who was discharged on the 23rd April, 1918, for the purpose of taking up employment in civil life; whether he is aware that in spite of the fact that this man's character certificate states that his disability was due to active service he received a letter from the Ministry of Pensions, dated 27th May, 1918, stating that he is not entitled to either temporary allowance or to a pension; and what action he proposes to take in this case?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI have not been able to find any record of the letter dated 27th May, 1918, which is said to have been received from the Ministry. Private McLean's discharge documents have now been obtained from the Labour Corps Record Office, and they show that he was discharged on 23rd April, 1918, for the purpose of taking up employment in civil life. Enclosed with the documents are two reports of medical boards, and in view of the divergence of opinion which they reveal steps are being taken to have Private McLean examined by the Special Medical Board at Liverpool in order to determine whether he is entitled to pension or gratuity.
§ 29. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Pensions Minister whether officers' pensions are now actually being assessed by the War Office or by his Department?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe administration and assessment of retired pay for disability is carried out by the Ministry of Pensions. The administration and assessment of retired pay for service and of wound pensions remains (in accordance with the Ministry of Pensions Act) with the War Office.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it the fact that these pensions are assessed by the Army Medical Board (3) at the War Office by three Army officers and one Pensions authority; that the three Army officers are changed practically every four weeks, because they themselves suffer from certain disabilities, and that in consequence there is not obtained any uniform assessment?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI have no knowledge of what the hon. Member calls attention to, but it is entirely a matter for the War Office.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say why there is only one representative of the Ministry of Pensions on the Army Medical Board (3)?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI must have notice of that.
§ 78. Mr. WINGasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the local war pensions committee have power to grant assistance to soldiers' dependants in payment of weekly sums due for industrial insurance, as in the case of the civil liability power to provide for insurance premiums, seeing that in case of large families the weekly payment is a heavy call upon the limited resources of soldiers' dependants; if not, will he issue instructions to that effect, and so prevent the lapsing of policies owing to inability to pay and consequent loss?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIf there is a disproportion between the present income of a soldier's wife and the income of the household before his enlistment, after allowing for the saving resulting from his absence, local committees are now authorised to grant allowances up to 12s, a week to cover industrial and other insurance premiums as well as rent. They may not, however, make a grant to cover an insurance policy taken out after 26th May, 1916, or in respect of an insurance on the life of a person other than the soldier, his wife, or children, except with the sanction of the Special Grants Committee, and the total allowance granted must not exceed the difference between the present income of the household and the net pre-enlistment income.