§ 19. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider the desirability of giving discretion to the war pensions (disablement) committees to grant more than 10s. a week extra diet allowance allowed to men who are suffering from acute forms of such diseases as tuberculosis and diabetes, seeing that the most they can receive for 100 per cent. disablement is 27s. 6d. a week, so that they can have the necessary comforts of coal, blankets, cotton wool, etc., the cost of which cannot be covered by the 10s. allowance, which is only sufficient for the extra nourishment required by the invalid?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe grant of 10s. a week for extra diet is not intended to do more than cover the cost of the food itself, but where in exceptional cases special bedding 253 or special clothing is necessary in these home-treatment cases it may be provided by the local committee at the cost of the Ministry. I may remind my hon. Friend that the disablement pension of 27s. 6d. a week now tarries a 20 per cent. war bonus.