§ 1. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the grant of £60 per annum from the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Commission to the wife of Bombardier E. W. Mellor, No. 144676, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, has ceased from 31st July, 1920; whether he is aware that Bombardier E. W. Mellor has been in hospital, Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Knotty Ash, Liverpool, since 1918, and that the cessation Of this grant has imposed the greatest hardship on his family; and whether he will state what relief is now available for this and analogous cases?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montagu Barlow)I have been asked to reply to this question. The conditions under which temporary supplementary and special grants were given during the War to the wives and families of men on military service had to be reconsidered in view of the introduction of improved conditions and rates of pay, and the scheme under which the grant was paid to Bombardier Mellor was brought to an end on the 31st July, 1920. It was almost inevitable that a certain number of hard cases would result from the closing down of the scheme on a fixed date, but its continuance after the 31st July, when all men compulsorily retained under the Military Service Acts would normally have been released, could not be justified.
§ Mr. MOSLEYIs there any fund from which a case such as this can be relieved?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI am not quite certain, but I appreciate the point of my hon. Friend's question, and if he will allow me, I will inquire.