§ 1. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to cases where an ex-soldier has died from illness contracted as a direct result of war service, but his widow receives an allowance for only the eldest child; whether he is aware that some widows so placed with several children are suffering hardship in consequence; and whether, in a case where the ex-soldier was either on active service or 1316 on the reserve when all his children were born, he will provide that the widow shall be entitled to an allowance for every child?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)A widow who is herself eligible for pension is, and has always been, eligible also for allowances in respect of all children born to the deceased soldier before or within nine months after the termination of his active service. I could not extend the Warrant to provide allowances for children born subsequently without serious breach of the established principles of the Royal Warrants which have been approved by Parliament.
§ Sir R. THOMASWill the right hon. Gentleman consider exceptional cases?
§ Major TRYONIf the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I shall be happy to go into it.