HC Deb 21 October 1918 vol 110 cc420-2
30. General COLVIN

asked the Pensions Minister whether he can see his way to modify Army Order 268 of 1917, Article 11 (1), to enable gratuities to be paid to widows of officers who die of sickness due to active service?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Hodge)

As I have stated in reply to previous questions on this subjects, the present restriction of the gratuities paid to officers' widows was decided upon after very careful consideration when the Royal Warrant of August last was drafted, and with the strong support of military opinion.

31. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Pensions Minister if he will have the treatment of Mrs. MacDonnell, 11, Golden Lane, investigated; if he is aware that this woman gave five sons to the Army, and that four of them have been killed and the other badly wounded; if he is aware that the only pension received by this woman is 17s. 5d. per week; and if he will see that an adequate pension is paid to her?

Mr. HODGE

We much regret that we have heard of the death of three sons, and sympathise with the mother in so great a loss. We have no information as to the death of a fourth son. We are making further inquiries into the case and will let the hon. Member know the result. I can assure him of sympathetic consideration.

Sir F. HALL

But will it be financial consideration?

Mr. HODGE

That is the intention.

35. Mr. WING

asked the Pensions Minister if the principle of alternative pensions extends to widows with or without dependants; and, if so, are such under the same conditions as those granted to men?

Mr. HODGE

A soldier's widow, who was married before the War or before the soldier's enlistment, may be granted, in lieu of her ordinary pension and children's allowances, an alternative pension of an amount not exceeding two-thirds of the alternative pension which might have been granted to the soldier if he had survived and had been incapable of earning.

46. Sir M. BARLOW

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware, in view of the increased standard of comfort of the industrial classes, of the dissatisfaction amongst the fighting troops at the existing scales of payments and allowances to the dependants of those actually fighting and of the rise in prices since last the scales of payments and allowances were fixed; and whether he will now have the matter considered by the Cabinet with a view to increased scales proportionate to the rise in prices?

50. Sir J. D. REES

asked whether the Government proposes to review the existing scale of payments and allowances to the wives and families of men in the Navy and The Army in view of the increases granted in all other directions to cover the rising cost of living?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)

I would refer my hon. Friends to the Government's proposals, which were circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of Thursday last.

Mr. HOLT

Do the Government accept the proposition that there has been an increased standard of comfort amongst the industrial classes?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have not considered that point, but I think it is a fact.

62. Colonel DALRYMPLE WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider the granting to non-commissioned officers and men of the Army, and equivalent ranks in the Navy, who, prior to the declaration of this War, have been discharged on pension, an increase in their pensions, ranging from 25 per cent. in the case of the younger men to 50 per cent. in the case of men over sixty years of age, or who, though under sixty years of age, are incapacitated by illness or infirmity?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government are not prepared to adopt the course suggested.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Pensions Minister said two days ago that they were going to increase them?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I was not aware of that fact.

Mr. HOGGE

But he did.

The HON. MEMBER (by Pricate Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that no flat rate increase in allowances is yet awarded to wives of any class, and other anomalies in the new scale of allowances, such as prospective instead of retrospective increases, he is now prepared to give the House an early opportunity of discussing the whole question of separation allowances on which the House has never yet been consulted until after they have been determined?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If there is a general desire for such a discussion, I shall be glad to arrange it, and, if the hon. Member will repeat this question on Thursday, I shall give him a definite reply.