§ 3. Mr. LOWTHasked the Minister of Pensions how many parents' pensions were withdrawn in the North-Western region in the six months ending 30th June, 1923; whether pensions are being terminated on the ground that, having in view the high standard of living in the parents' household at the time of enlistment, the son's contribution to the household was absorbed by the benefits received in exchange; and whether instructions have been issued by the Ministry secretariat that pensions are to be withdrawn if, in the opinion of the inquiry office, the deceased service men were well fed and well housed at the time of enlistment?
§ Major TRYONPensions to parents based on pre-War dependence are neither 1542 withdrawn nor reduced unless it is clear that the original assessment of the profit derived by the parents from the soldier's contribution has been materially overestimated, and no instructions of the nature suggested in the third part of the question have been issued. The number of these pensions which it was found necessary to withdraw in the North-Western Region during the period mentioned is 27.