§ 3. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that James Reilly, late private Highland Light Infantry, No. 12,715, and lately residing on the south side of Glasgow, died in Craig-lochart Hospital, in Edinburgh, on the 29th January, 1929; that the pension authorities refused to provide for his burial; that as a result he was buried in common ground; and if he will take steps to have full inquiry made and, if possible, a burial granted which will not be in common ground?
§ Major TRYONI have inquired into the facts of this case, which was, I regret, not eligible for a funeral grant. I have no authority to defray funeral expenses in cases where death has occurred from causes which are not connected with the man's war service.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this matter is subject to an appeal, and how can he say that the man's condition was not due to war service when there is going to be an appeal?
§ Major TRYONOf course, if there are any new facts which would enable me to do anything more than I am doing now, I shall be very happy to do it.
§ Mr. BUCHANANBefore the appeal is decided, would it not be better to treat this man to a decent burial? Is it not common justice, before the appeal is decided, that the man should be buried, not as a pauper, but as an ordinary citizen?
§ Major COHENIs it not a fact that the British Legion would give assistance towards that funeral?
§ Major TRYONI do not know whether I ought to answer about the British Legion, but I hear they were appealed to, and refused.
§ Mr. BUCHANANBut in a case like this, is it not possible for the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's officials or someone else to see, with this terrible poverty, that a man who has admittedly suffered is given at least a decent burial?
§ Major TRYONI entirely appreciate the hon. Member's point of view, and if new facts enable me to help, I will gladly do so.