§ 14. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Secretary of State for War the number of members of the Chinese defence force that have died in China this year; the disabilities which were the cause of death; and the number of cases accepted as due to service in which the widows or other dependants have been granted pensions
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)I have had the information drawn up in tabular form and will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the "OFFICIAL REPORT." The figures are those included in Estimates for 1914 and 1927, respectively.
§ The table is as follows:
§ Commodore KINGThere have been 12 deaths in China among the British troops and two among the Indian troops, not forming part of the permanent establishment there. Eight of the cases were due to illness and the rest to accidents or wounds. In 11 of the 12 British cases, there was no widow and no claim has been received for dependant's pension. The twelfth case, which occurred at the end of June, is at present under consideration. I will ask my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India to ascertain whether any pension is being granted in either of the Indian cases and to communicate direct to the hon. Member the result of his inquiry.
§ Mr. KENNEDYMay I ask if cases of fever and pneumonia, and similar disabilities, are regarded as pensionable disabilities?
§ Commodore KINGEach case is carefully inquired into, and it depends on the particulars of each case. I can give no general answer on the point.