§ 54. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Pensions Minister whether he will give additional powers to local war pensions committees to continue the allowances of motherless children of demobilised and discharged men from His Majesty's forces, and that the men should be given an opportunity of putting their cases before the local committees with a view to the local committees continuing their responsibility of the children until such times as the committees are satisfied that the men concerned are in a position to take charge of their children?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir J. Craig)Local war pensions committees already have powers to continue, if necessary, for a period not exceeding one month, allowances of motherless children of men demobilised or discharged from His Majesty's forces, which have come under their charge by reason of their having suffered from neglect or want of proper care. In exceptional cases, a brief extension of this period could be made by the Special Grants Committee.