§ 24. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Pensions Minister if he will state under what Regulation arrears of pension are being limited to one year; and whether, in view 1112 of the fact that the then Under-Secretary to the Pensions Ministry in the House on 18th June last gave an assurance that pension under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant, 1917, would be issuable from the date on which disability due to military service began, and that he would inquire into any cases brought to his notice where arrears of pension from that date have not been paid, he will inquire into the case of ex-Sergeant J. Donnelly, No. 356, East Kent Regiment, whose disability dated from 18th December, 1914, but who was not awarded pension until 26th March, 1917, and has been granted the arrears for one year only, from 5th March, 1916, to 25th March, 1917?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe Regulation under which arrears of pension are being limited to one year prior to date of first application, except in special cases of hardship, is based primarily on Article 7 of the Royal Warrant of 1914, which is scheduled in current Warrants as one of the provisions of previous Warrants remaining in force. Under that Article,
all pay or other pecuniary advantages granted by this Our Warrant which shall not have been claimed within a period of twelve months shall be deemed to be forfeited, unless under such exceptional circumstances as shall be approved by Our Army Council or by an officer duly authorised by them.I am inquiring into Sergeant Donnelly's case to see if there are any exceptional circumstances.