§ 55. Mr. GROVESasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether service men who transferred from the forces to the War Graves Department and were 1546 employed in France or Belgium were insured for purposes of the Widows' Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI have been asked to reply. Assuming that the men had been compulsorily insured before transfer to the Imperial War Graves Commission and that the transfer took place before 1st September, 1921, they continued to be insured in their approved societies under special provisions relating to war occupations and could preserve their insurance rights on return to this country by paying contributions at a reduced rate. If they continued in insurance in this way after the Contributory Pensions Act came into force in January, 1926, they were also insured under that Act. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, my right hon. Friend will be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in his Department—not the War Office—widows of such men are being refused pensions on the grounds that I have stated?
§ Mr. BROWNI am not aware of it. If the hon. Member has any particular case, I shall be glad: to go into it.