HC Deb 11 June 1918 vol 106 cc2030-1
26. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Pensions Minister whether the effect of discharging soldiers as surplus to military requirements is to debar these men from obtaining either temporary allowances, or gratuities, or pensions from the Pensions Ministry, even although they would have been entitled to them if they had been discharged under some other heading?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of MUNITIONS (Colonel Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to the similar question which he put to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office yesterday. I may further assure him that no man who has incurred disability or suffered impairment through service can be deprived of his pension rights by the manner of his discharge. Even if he has suffered a disability which does not disclose itself for several months after his discharge he can apply under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant, and if the disablement is found to be due to or aggravated by military service he will be granted the same pension or gratuity as if he had been discharged as medically unfit.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

May I ask to what authority the man in question can apply?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

He will apply to his local committee, who will thereupon represent the case to the Ministry.

27. MR. PENNEFATHER

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will say what allowances are payable to men discharged from the Army as surplus to military requirements or for the purpose of taking up employment in civil life; for how long these allowances are payable, and what arrangements are made for their payment; and whether direct from the regimental paymaster or through the local war pensions committee?

Mr. FORSTER

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As regards men discharged from the Army as surplus to military requirements who are not eligible for pension, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 30th May last. The final payments are made by the regimental paymaster, but the first advance on leaving the unit by the officer commanding. As regards men so discharged who are eligible for consideration for pension, they are treated in the same manner as all other soldiers so situated—that is, their pay is continued till discharge, from which date they receive either pension or the temporary allowance provided by the Ministry of Pensions.