§ 46. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the new Pensions Warrant dealing with men who fought in previous wars only brings men who were totally disabled into line with the new warrants; whether a man who lost his arm in the Boer War gets less than half what a man gets who lost it in this War; whether no provision is made for officers; and whether the House is to understand that the Government is not prepared to make all alike?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Grifflth-Boscawen)The answer to the first three-parts of the question are in the affirmative, and, as regards the fourth part, the Government, in providing for widows and totally disabled men, met what were, in their opinion, the most pressing needs arising from the manner in which the War Pension question had been dealt with in the past.
§ Mr. HOGGEMay I again ask the Leader of the House—because it is a question of the policy of the Government— whether we are to understand that the Government are not prepared to bring into line the wounded and disabled officers and men in previous wars under the rates now being paid to those wounded and disabled in the present War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member has got the answer from the Department dealing with this matter, and I cannot at present add anything to that answer.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my right hon. Friend aware that the man who lost an arm in the Boer War gets 7s. 6d. a week, while a man who loses an arm in this War gets 18s. 6d.? Is that the policy of this Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs far as my recollection goes, I believe that they have been given a very generous allowance. I will look into the matter again, but I cannot hold out any hope of any improvement.