HC Deb 17 June 1918 vol 107 cc28-9
35. Sir H. HARRIS

asked the Pensions Minister whether a pension or gratuity can be granted to a man who has been discharged from the Army as under military age, but has served at the front?

Mr. HODGE

If in the case referred to by the hon. Member the man had been disabled by his service, he would come under the terms of the Royal Warrant as regards pension or gratuity.

49. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Prime Minister if, in case of the Debate on separation allowances for soldiers' wives and dependants being followed by a Division, the Government will leave the decision to a free vote of the House and withhold the services, for the purpose of the Division, of the Government Whips?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think that the course proposed by the hon. Member would be a proper one.

33. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Pensions Minister, concerning Private J. H. M'Laren, late No. 11080, 1th Service Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was shot through the shoulder and, after being between eight and nine months in hospital, was discharged from the Army on 29th April, 1916, and is now in receipt of 12s. a week pension altogether for himself, wife, and his three children, whether he is aware that, during the first eight months after his discharge, although he was then and has ever since been totally unfit for any work that has been available to him, McLaren's pension was 24s. 9d. a week altogether for himself, wife, and his three children, and that when this amount was afterwards reduced to 19s. 6d. for himself, wife, and three children, McLaren was driven by the insufficiency of his pension to accept the only work he could get, and, in consequence, he fell from a ladder whilst cleaning windows in the course of his employment when he had only effective use of one arm; if he is aware that, as the result of this accident, McLaren is permanently crippled and cannot move without the aid of two crutches; and whether, having regard to all the facts of the case, he will reconsider his decision, which is, in effect, a denial that McLaren's pension was insufficient to represent the extent of disability prior to the accident?

Mr. HODGE

I am aware of the reduction of M'Laren's pension and of his subsequent misfortune. On his discharge from the Army he was found to be incapacitated to the extent of three-fourth's, but since then the effects of his wound have in some degree disappeared, the present extent of the incapacity being assessed at 30 per cent., for which the appropriate pension, with allowance for three children, is 12s. a week. I have no reason to believe that M'Laren's pension has been at any time inappropriate to the extent of his disablement. I cannot accept the inferences contained in the hon. Member's question, and, much as I regret the sad occurrence to which the hon. Member has drawn attention, I cannot, I fear, do more for M'Laren, who will, no doubt, receive from his employer compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts.