§ Mr. J. P. MORRIS(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Private John. Wilson, who died in Hope Hospital, Salford, on Sunday, the 26th. instant, from the effects of war wounds, that although riddled with shrapnel in more than 100 places he would not apply for a disability pension as long as he was able to follow he employment as a lorry driver, that when unemployment forced him to apply for a pension he subsequently became too ill to complete his claim, and seeing that Private Wilson has left a. widow and two children, aged seven and two years, respectively, and that his widow is not legally entitled to a war widow's pension because Private Wilson was not in receipt of payment of a disability pension at the time of his death, and that he was not married until after the War, he will consider this case in a special light and make a grant immediately of a war widow's pension?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)I will make immediate inquiries into the facts of this case, but if, as appears from my hon. Friend's question, Private Wilson's marriage took place after he sustained his injuries, the widow 1639 would not in any case be entitled to a pension, and I have no power to grant one.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not possible for the Minister to grant a pension on compassionate grounds?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir; that is not in my power. The principle involved has been sustained by successive Governments and by Ministers of all parties.