HC Deb 21 July 1927 vol 209 cc542-4
2. Miss LAWRENCE

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received complaints from the West Ham Pensions Committee with regard to the Poor Law relief given in West Ham to the parents of pensioned children; and the terms of the communication and the answer given?

Major TRYON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Committee were informed that the question had been referred to the Minister of Health as a matter within his province, and that, in reply, the Minister of Health had pointed out that it was the duty of the guardians, in determining what amount of relief should be afforded in any particular case, to take into consideration the whole of the resources of the applicant's household, from whatever source derived, with certain statutory exceptions, which do not include pensions to children of fathers killed in the War, and that he has no power to give any discretion to the guardians in the matter.

3. Miss LAWRENCE

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in regard to the letter from his Department, dated 16th November, 1922, addressed to Mr. Cribb, 12, Prestbury Road, E.12, stating that the pensions paid to the children of a deceased soldier must be devoted solely to their benefit, he will say whether any and, if so, what action is taken by his Department to enforce this policy?

Major TRYON

I am unable to trace the correspondence referred to. I may say, however, that the allowance paid to the parent of a child is designed to provide for the entire maintenance of the child. I am bound to assume that the allowance is normally applied by parents in this manner in the interests of their children, though, in the exceptional event of a case being brought to notice in which the child was found to be suffering seriously from want of proper care by the parent, it would be considered whether the allowance could with advantage be administered, otherwise than by way of payment to the parent, in the interests of the child.

Miss LAWRENCE

If the sole income of a family is derived from pensions of fatherless children of soldiers, is it the opinion of the Minister of Health that part of such pensions which have been granted to the children can properly be used to support their step-brothers and step-fathers; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman communicate again with the Minister of Health?

Major TRYON

That supplementary question, obviously, refers to the administration of another Department, and, therefore, it would not be in order for me to reply to it.

Miss LAWRENCE

I understand that these pensions are under the oversight of the Minister of Pensions, and I ask him whether he concurs in an arrangement by which pensions granted by the country to the fatherless children of soldiers who died in the War can be devoted to the support of their step-brothers and stepfathers?

Major TRYON

I am certainly not prepared to appoint inspectors to intervene in the affairs of about 500,000 families, but, if any case is brought to my notice in which a child is being neglected, I will go into it, as I have already informed the hon. Member.

Mr. T. KENNEDY

Is it not the business of the Ministry of Pensions to see that moneys paid in the form of allowances for the maintenance of children are applied to the purpose for which they are paid?

Major TRYON

I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion from the opposite benches that I should interfere in the accounts of all these families, but, as I have said, if any child is not being properly looked after, I shall intervene.

Miss LAWRENCE

Will the Ministry conduct an inquiry on the representations of the West Ham Pensions Committee, who have written to the Minister of Pensions to complain in regard to this matter?

Major TRYON

I shall certainly not conduct an inquiry into the administration of another Department.

Major COLFOX

As this question obviously refers to an individual case—

Miss LAWRENCE

No!

Major COLFOX

—will the Minister consider that case when it is brought definitely before him?

Major TRYON

Certainly. If any individual case is brought definitely before me in which a child can be shown to [...] suffering, I shall go into it.