§ 30. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of Pensions if there are any means by which, under the Regulations, a widow's pension of 13s. 9d. a week can be supplemented; and, in particular, whether a widow whose husband earned £2 5s. before 1775 enlistment and who has been killed can secure a higher pension than 13s. 9d. a week?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLA widow without children, drawing 13s. 9d. a week can claim an alternative pension of greater amount if she married the soldier before the War or before enlistment and if, before the War, he was earning more than 27s. 6d. a week. In the case mentioned, if the soldier earned £2 5s. a week before the War, his widow could claim an alternative pension of 30s. a week.
§ Sir G. TOULMINCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the rate of wages which would have been paid to the man now, if he were working in the same grade would not be taken into account by the Special Grants Committee and not merely the £2 5s. which he received before enlistment?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLI have not the information at my disposal to answer the supplementary question of the hon. Member, but I will see that he has an answer.