2. Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases in which any need pension has been refused to mothers on the ground that their sons ought to support, or assist in supporting, them?
§ Major TRYONI regret that the form in which the records of my Department are, kept does not enable me to give this information. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that claims to need pension would only be refused on the grounds indicated if the parent or parents had material sources of income and there were also surviving children who were able to contribute to their parents' support, but were not, in fact, doing so.
Mr. RICHARDSONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that he has already refused need pensions to widows whose sons are married and find it difficult to support their own families?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir, I am not aware of that, but I understood the arrangements made by my predecessor were said to be satisfactory.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAIs there a uniform standard in these cases, or are different standards followed?
§ Major TRYONThese matters are, of course, dealt with by regular rules.