§ 3. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Walter Teague Grahame, private, No. 2486, Highland Light Infantry, applied for an increase of pension on 7th September, 1920, under The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, and that this claim was rejected on the grounds that Mr. Grahame resided in Canada; whether he is aware that the application was made under the direction of the Canadian pension authorities, and that Mr. Grahame, had he been correctly advised, should have applied for an increase under the Royal Warrant of 1st November, 1920; that such an increase was actually granted from 1st August, 1924, the date of the subsequent application under that Warrant, but that an increase was refused for the period 1st April, 1919, to 1st August, 1924; and whether, in view of the initial error in application, due in no way to the fault of Mr. Grahame, he will take steps to secure increased pension for the whole period since 1st April, 1919, under the Royal Warrant?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It was open to Mr. Grahame to apply at any time after the subsequent issue of the 772 Former Wars Warrants for consideration of his case, but no such application was made until the 1st August, 1924. The award of increased pension made in this case was made in accordance with the provisions of the Former Wars Warrants as from the date of application. It is not considered that there are any grounds for a departure from the provisions of the Warrant.
§ Mr. BAKERIs this not a case in which the Minister can exercise a discretion, where a man has not obtained the full rights to which he is entitled, seeing that he was wrongly advised by the pension authorities?
§ Major TRYONI do not see that there are circumstances in this case to suggest that I could deal with it differently from other similar cases.