HC Deb 17 December 1925 vol 189 cc1597-9
23 and 24. Mr. DALTON

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether the decision as to the amount to be deducted from the pension of a motherless child for the purpose of providing tools or outfit, and the arrangement for the purchase of such tools or outfit, will be left for decision to the Area War Pensions Committee of the district in which the child resides;

(2), what is the estimated number of motherless children between the ages of 14 and 15 and in receipt of War pensions who may require tools or other outfit between these ages or later, to provide which it is proposed to make stoppages from their pensions; and what is the estimated amount necessary if similar provision were made from State funds?

Major TRYON

The co-operation of the War Pensions Committee in the arrangements referred to will certainly be invited, though at what stage I am not yet in a position to say. I regret that I am unable to give any estimate of the number of children between the ages referred to who may require assistance for the purpose specified, nor what the cost is likely to be.

Mr. DALTON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is quite clear that in the particular case of any child's pension which is stopped in this way, the decision ought to be made by the local committee, and not by the right hon. Gentleman?

Major TRYON

I am afraid that if the decision were made by the local committee, and not by myself, I should be deprived of the pleasure of replying to the questions of the hon. Gentleman here.

Mr. DALTON

The right hon. Gentleman does not understand. My question was whether he does not think the local body, having knowledge of the particular conditions, is not in a better position to judge than the right hon. Gentleman or the officials at Whitehall?

Major TRYON

I entirely appreciate the point put by the hon. Gentleman. We should, and always do, welcome the help that we get from the local committees with their local knowledge, but it must be recognised that if the decision was not left to the Ministry, we should be incapable of being responsible to Parliament.