HC Deb 30 November 1922 vol 159 cc871-2
9. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Marion M'Donald, 62, Eaglesham Street, Plantation, Glasgow, was charged at the instance of the Ministry of Pensions with defrauding the Pensions Ministry of the sum of £3 3s. 9d.; that this woman has been fined £5 or 14 days' imprisonment; whether the accusation was to the effect that she had boarded her lodgers, from whom she received 5s. per week: whether he will state if this is the policy pursued by the Ministry towards the widowed mothers of soldiers who have been killed in the War; and whether, in view of the indignation which is being caused by this treatment of soldiers' dependants, he is prepared to abandon further action against this woman and to recommend the Secretary for Scotland to quash the sentence imposed upon her?

Major TRYON

This woman pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining money from public funds by false pretences and was convicted by the Court. I have no power to interfere with the sentence of the Court, nor can I undertake to evade my duty, however unpleasant, of instituting proceedings where there is clear evidence of intent to defraud the State.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman only received temporary money and was advised by the detective to plead guilty, and that she had no legal assistance in the Court and was under the impression that what she had done was right so far as she was concerned? Again, as this seems to be the method adopted by the Ministry of Pensions, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration those cases and stop these prosecutions going on?

Major TRYON

It is not in the power of the Ministry to stop a prosecution decided on by other authorities, but the reluctance with which we have prosecuted in these cakes is Shown by the fact that in the comparatively few cases in which we have prosecuted there have almost invariably been convictions. This shows that we have only proceeded with reluctance and when it was necessary to do so.

Mr. MACLEAN

Was not this prosecution instituted by the Ministry of Pensions on the report of their own investigator, and is this the new method adopted by the Ministry of Pensions in trying to find out through those people something which is not against them, but which ought to be in their favour—trying to support themselves?

Major TRYON

We have no desire to prejudice the case, but if we find a thing done which is wrong, it is obviously our duty to report it.