HC Deb 21 March 1918 vol 104 cc1158-61
57. Mr. TILLETT

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the increased coat of living amounts to more than 100 per cent. since the allowance to soldiers' and sailors' dependants was determined, if he will consider the need of a 50 per cent. increase in all allowances

Mr. BONAR LAW

I can add nothing to previous replies on this subject.

58. Mr. TILLETT

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that men are discharged from the Army under medical jurisdiction alleged to have contracted diseases prior to the War, although passed as medically fit, he will take steps to secure the relief of necessitous cases of the men and their dependants?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTER of PENSIONS (Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen)

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to take this question, but I am not quite clear what it is that the hon. Member wishes to be done. If a man is discharged for a, disability which he is considered to have had on entering the Army, which has not been aggravated by his service, he is given a gratuity; if the disability is shown to have been aggravated by his service he may receive either a gratuity or a pension, according to the degree of his disablement, on discharge. I have no reason to think that the State is doing otherwise than discharging its full responsibility towards these men.

75. Sir MONTAGUE BARLOW

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the number of discharged men awaiting training, whether he is now able to make any further statement as to more satisfactory arrangements for payment of allowances to them in the interim period before their training begins?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I am pleased to be able to announce that the payment of allowances to men who are awaiting a course of training is now sanctioned, and that, subject to certain conditions, men in this position shall receive the equivalent to the full disablement rate of pension, with children's Allowances in addition, for a period which will ordinarily not exceed four weeks. An instruction setting forth the precise terms of the arrangement will be issued as soon as possible.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

Is the period of four weeks dated from the date of selection?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

As soon as a man has been selected as suitable for training, the allowance will be made payable for a period of four weeks while waiting to be taken into the place.

76. Sir M. BARLOW

asked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Private T. Maxwell, late No. 17752, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, son of Mrs. Maxwell, who lives at 16, Richmond Place, off Cross Lane, Salford, whether he has now ascertained under what circumstances the deduction of £8 19s. 7d., referred to in the correspondence with the Ministry, was made; whether he is aware that this correspondence has been going on since December, 1916; and will he say why the Ministry or the Paymaster, who states that he has sent all the correspondence to the Ministry, have not settled the matter?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Pension has been issued in full to Mrs. Maxwell from 4th April last when she became entitled to a Grant under the Regulations which came into operation on that date. There appears to have been an over-issue of separation allowance during the soldier's life time but no recovery is being made from pension on account of that, which is a matter for the paymaster and the War Office.

80. Sir GEORGE TOULMIN

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in the case of the death of the wife of a soldier with children, any allowance in addition to the motherless rate for children can be paid for a guardian or foster-mother; and, if so, by whom and under what conditions?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

If the home of the soldier is being maintained, a local committee may make up the motherless rate for children to the amount which the wife was receiving in respect of herself and her children under ten (a) Part II., of the Special Giants Committee's Regulations.

Sir G.TOULMIN

Do I understand that if the same home is being kept up, the addition may be made, but that if the children are removed to any other home, it may not be paid?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Yes; that is so.

81. Mr. WILKIE

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that a number of cases have come before the Dundee Parish Council of the insufficiency of the pensions allowed, one case being that of a woman with four children, whose husband was killed in France last April, who received 31s. a week for six weeks, and was then given a pension of 28s. 9d. a week, upon which it was impossible for them to exist, and that the council granted temporary relief and contended that these amounts should be increased; and if he will say what steps, if any, are being taken to remedy this state of matters?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I have had many representations made to me as to the inadequacy of the pensions and allowances for widows and children which can be granted under the existing Royal Warrants. The question of increase is at present under consideration, and until it is determined I cannot usefully make any further statement.

83. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Pensions Minister what powers, if any, local pensions committees have to grant allowances to guardians of motherless children whose fathers are killed or die while serving in the Navy or Army or as a result of wounds or sickness attributable to such service; and if any instructions covering such cases have been, or will be, issued to local committees?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Local committees have no direct power to grant allowances to guardians of motherless children in the circumstances set out in the hon. Member's question except that they may continue for twenty-six weeks following the death of the father any allowance granted by them under Part II., Regulation 10 (a). Where, however, there are-special circumstances it is open to a local committee, after the expiration of the period of twenty-six weeks, to make a recommendation to the Special Grants Committee, who are prepared, in suitable cases, to sanction a temporary allowance to a guardian of a soldier's children who has been acting in that capacity in the home of the soldier to support the home until suitable arrangements can be made.