§ 6. Mr. DALTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Percival, widow of the late Colonel Percival, on the staff, who was killed in October, 1915; whether, seeing that under the Royal Warrant of 1920 Mrs. Percival became eligible for an alternative pension of £300 a year in lieu of the £216 she is at present receiving, and the Ministry was in full possession of all the details of the deceased colonel's pre-War earnings, any intimation was conveyed to Mrs. Percival that she was entitled to an increased pension; and, if not, will he authorise the issue of an alternative pension, with effect from 2nd July, 1920?
§ Major TRYONThe special rate of pension termed "Alternative Pension" provided by the Royal Warrants of 1919 and 1920 were expressly made dependent 1687 on the submission of a claim and proof of pre-War earnings by the pensioner. In addition to the widest publicity given in other directions, a leaflet, drawing attention to the provisions of the Warrant in regard to alternative pension, was sent to every officer's widow on the pension list, addressed to them at the addresses given by them to the Paymasters-General for the purpose of all correspondence regarding their pensions. I have no reason to doubt that this information was sent to the widow referred to, and I should have no authority to authorise an exceptional departure from the provisions of the Warrant in favour of this case.