§ 66. Mr. WILKIEasked the Pensions Minister whether Private A. Robertson, No. 2619, 4th Black Watch, died on 5th December last of pneumonia; whether he was wounded an inch from the heart in May, 1915, and so severely wounded in the leg at the battle of Loos in September, 1915, that it had to be amputated; whether a Dundee doctor has certified that the hardships he had undergone during the recent War and the wounds received lowered his resisting powers and so contributed towards his death; whether that certificate and a recommendation by the Dundee War Pensions Committee that the widow should receive full pension have been ignored and the widow awarded a pension of 8s. 3d. weekly; whether no provision is being made for the deceased man's six children, the eldest thirteen years of age and the youngest twins two years of age; whether he is aware that the widow, who is unable to work, has been compelled to apply for Poor Law relief; and whether he will take steps to ensure that Mrs. Robertson and her children will be adequately provided for?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The case of Private Robertson has been carefully considered by my medical advisers, who are unable to find any connection between his death and the wounds he had received many years previously. In these circumstances, the only award that can be made is a pension under Acticle 17 of the Royal Warrant, at half the rate of the pension held by the husband in his lifetime.