HC Deb 22 May 1919 vol 116 cc536-7
8. Mr. ALFRED SHORT

asked the Pensions Minister whether the parents of a single man killed in action are entitled without further inquiry to a pension in respect of their son if he was under the age of twenty-six on enlistment, but if the soldier was over twenty -six on enlistment the parents have to answer satisfactorily a series of questions as to their dependence, etc., and generally plead poverty before they can receive a pension; if so, will he state the reason for this discrimination; and whether he will consider the desirability of paying the pension irrespective of the age upon enlistment?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)

Under the Royal Warrant of April, 1918, a claim for parents' pension must be based either on actual dependence or on pecuniary need and infirmity or age. Provision has, however, since been made, by means of the 5s. flat-rate pension, to meet the case of the young man who by his early enlistment has been prevented from giving his parents the expected support. But if a man has reached the age of twenty-six without assisting his parents it may reasonably be assumed that he does not intend to do so unless and until they are in need and incapable of self-support through infirmity or age, when they become eligible for pension under the Royal Warrant.