§ 10. Mr. N. CHAMBERLAINasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the ease of Mrs. G. G. Wood, widow of the late Private W. F. Wood, No. 27621, Royal Army Medical Corps, of 3, Cotlands Road, Bournemouth, whose husband died of disease contracted on service during the War one day after the seven years' limit under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant; whether Mrs. Wood will only receive]6s. 6d. per week pension instead of the full alternative pension for a widow with allowance for her child, to which she would have been entitled had her husband died one day earlier; and whether, in view of this and similar cases, he can see his way to recommend an alteration in the terms of the Royal Warrant so as to extend the limit of time under Article 11?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am inquiring into the facts of this case, and will give it personal consideration.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINCan the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI must deal with the whole question; I cannot answer it straight off.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the situation, as it presents itself to many of these men, is that it would be better, in the interests of their wives and children, that they should die before the expiration of the seven years' limit rather than attempt to prolong their own lives?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis is a very large and difficult question, and I should hesitate to give an answer on the spur of the moment.