HC Deb 28 May 1918 vol 106 cc655-6
14. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the fact that there are still a number of cases of delay between the date of discharge of a man from the Service and the issue of a special temporary allowance pending the decision of the Ministry as to the award of a pension or gratuity, he will arrange in co-operation with the military authorities that in the ease of every man about to be discharged under paragraph 392 (XVI.), King's Regulations, intimation of the date of discharge shall be forwarded to the pensions issue office by the officer i/c records at least a fortnight before the date when the discharges shall take effect. and that until such intimation is acknowledged by the pensions issue office with a note of the date in which special temporary allowance will be issued, Army pay, separation allowance, and, where necessary, ration allowance should continue to be issued?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)

I am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for his suggestion, but, fortunately, there is now no need to make any such arrangement. The whole system of discharge under paragraph 392 (XVI.), King's Regulations, has recently been altered, and orders are being issued that discharge shall date from the day after the Invaliding Board. Before leaving the Army the man will be furnished with a book of vouchers representing four weeks' temporary allowance at the rate of 27s. 6d. a week. Separation allowance will continue for the first fortnight after discharge, and after that children's allowances are issued. Temporary allowance, with children's allowance, will continue until a decision as to pension is arrived at.

Colonel ASHLEY

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfy us that there will be no hiatus between the two-pensions?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I do not think there can be any hiatus, because when the man is discharged the Army authorities present him with these vouchers.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why the Pensions Ministry do not pay the allowance to a wife for the second fortnight, instead of, as they do now, paying for the first fortnight, and the children for the second?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.