§ 15. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Pensions the number of blind pensioners pensioned by his Department; what is the average pension received by such pensioner; whether, if such pensioner is the inhabitant of a home or hospital for the blind, any deduction is made from the pension; and, if so, what amount?
Mr. ROBERTSThere are 1,550 totally blinded officers and men, all of whom are receiving pension from my Department at the maximum rate. The amount paid in such case varies according to rank and family, an unmarried private receiving pension at the rate of 40s. a week. Allowances for wives and children of married men are additional. These pensioners are cared for by St. Dunstans (or in Scotland by Newington House) and when they are in either of these institutions they receive allowances at the maximum rate of pension without any deduction.