§ 14. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Pensions how many new applications for pensions were received during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1922; how many of these were granted; and whether it is proposed to enforce the seven years' limit allowed to men disabled in the late War to send in their applications?
§ Major TRYONDuring the year ending 30th September last, 107,000 applications, of all classes were received, and in 53,000 cases an award of pension, weekly allowance or gratuity was made. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. I may remind the hon. Member that this time limit was approved by Parliament and is incorporated in the War Pensions Act, 1921.
§ 16. Mr. McENTEEasked the Minister of Pensions if he will reconsider the order issued by the Ministry of Pensions, that, should a man die seven years after his discharge from the service, his widow or 874 children shall not be entitled, to pension, with, a view £o its abolition, as the order is strongly resented by ex-service men, who consider it to be unjust and contrary to the spirit of the promises made to them by previous Governments?
§ Major TRYONNo order to the effect stated has been issued by my Department. A man who dies under conditions which do not render his widow eligible for the maximum rate of pension under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant is entitled to be considered for pension under Article 17, and, in fact, pensions are being awarded under the latter article. With regard to the suggestion that the seven years' time limit should be removed from Article 11, perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to the memorandum issued by the late Minister of Pensions at the end of the last Parliament—Command Paper 1748–in which the difficulties in the way of the suggestion are fully set out. I have quite recently myself most carefully considered every aspect of the question, and I am very hopeful that a satisfactory solution will very shortly be arrived at.