§ 3. Mr. G. OLIVERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he can arrange that in any case where complaints are made against a war widow's conduct the woman should be informed of the name of the person making the complaint and its nature; and whether, in view of the grave injustice inflicted on many war widows by the withdrawal of their pension, he will take steps to stop all forfeiture of war widows' pensions in future?
Mr. ROBERTSI am at present reviewing the procedure in these cases in 1568 consultation with the Special Grants Committee, and I will make an anouncement at the earliest possible date.
§ 4. Mr. OLIVERalso asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that in the event of an officer's widow re-marrying her pension ceases, and that in the event of the second husband dying the pension is immediately re-issued, he will take action to place the widows of non-commissioned officers and men on an equality with the widows of commissioned officers?
Mr. ROBERTSPension is not restored automatically to the widow of an officer in the event of her second widowhood, but only if her financial position is such as to justify restoration. Although this provision does not extend to the widows of other ranks, they have the advantage of receiving, on re-marriage, a gratuity which is not conditioned on need and which is not given to the widows of commissioned officers. I may add that the matter was considered by the Select Committee on Pensions, who did not recommend any change.
§ 5. Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Pensions if his personal attention was called to the case of Mrs. A. A. Blake, 487, Abbey Road, Abbey Wood, whose first husband was killed in France in 1918, whose pension ceased on remarriage to Gunner Blake, Royal Garrison Artillery, also killed as a result of war service; and whether, as it appears that present Regulations prevent this woman's pension being paid, he will take early steps to secure such powers and make them retrospective?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYOn a point of Order. Has it not been ruled that questions relating to the cases of particular people should not be put on the Paper for oral answer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not consider that I had power to reject the question.
Mr. ROBERTSPension in respect of the first husband ceased on remarriage, when the usual gratuity was paid to the widow. Her second husband had left the Army before he married her, and I am not prepared to consider any alteration of the Royal Warrant in the direction of providing pensions for widows of soldiers married after discharge.
§ Mr. MILLSIn view of the answer to Question No. 4 and the attitude adopted towards the widows of officers, will the Minister once more reconsider this case?