§ 85. Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Pensions Minister whether an ex-officer who applies for training and cannot be placed can draw maintenance allowance whilst waiting in the same manner as is possible for the discharged soldier?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe answer is in the negative. The circumstances 2085 are very different, and in the case of officers the necessity for this special provision is not found to exist.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs it not a fact that unfortunately in many cases the ex-officer has only his pension to live on; and has no private means of his own?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThat may be so, but the question is whether there is a waiting list and we are not aware of it.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf there is a waiting list, will they get it?
§ Sir GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIf that state of affairs arises, we shall be prepared to consider it.
§ 86. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Pensions Minister whether any increase in the maintenance allowances for officers undergoing treatment has been made similar to that recently granted to the men?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENNo revision of the scale of maintenance allowances for officers undergoing treatment is considered to be necessary. In this connection I may refer my Noble Friend to the answer I gave to the question put to me on the 22nd October by the hon. Member for the Hornsey Division of Middlesex.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs there any reason why officers should be treated less generously than the men?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI do not think they are treated less generously. As I pointed out in reply to the question, the pensions are put up to the highest rate of the total disablement rate; in addition to that, any maintenance due for treatment is paid by the State.