HC Deb 02 April 1935 vol 300 cc191-2
31. Major Sir HERBERT CAYZER

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the sufferings of certain incapacitated war orphans as a result of the regulation which precludes allowance being paid after the age of 21; whether he will seek authority to enable allowances to be continued in the case of totally incapacitated war orphans for so long as the infirmity exists; whether he will consider specially the case of Ada Marion Edwards, daughter of the late Private William Edwards, No. 5,765, Middlesex Regiment, who died on 30th November, 1934, in view of the fact that this war orphan is suffering from curvature of the spine and paralysis of the legs and is unable to contribute to her self-support?

32. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the position of certain incapacitated war orphans as a result of the regulation which precludes allowance being paid after the age of 21; whether he will seek authority which will enable allowances to be continued in the case of totally incapacitated war orphans for so long as the infirmity exists; and whether, when looking into this matter, he will specially consider the case of Lily Maud Roberts, daughter of the late Driver Thomas Roberts, No. 109,779, Army Service Corps, who died on 15th September, 1924, as she is suffering from cardiac debility and is unable to contribute in any way to her self-support?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)

I understand that both the young persons referred to are living with their mothers, who are in receipt of a widow's pension under the Royal Pensions Warrants. For the reasons given by me in my reply to similar proposals made by the hon. and gallant Members for Northampton and Coventry on the 27th ultimo, of which I am sending copies to the hon. Members, I am unable to adopt the course suggested.

Mr. JOHN

Seeing that the Government made it a national responsibility to maintain these children when they were young, does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman believe that it is essential on the part of the Government to extend their obligations to those who are incapacitated, because they are not being maintained and would have been maintained if their fathers had not made the supreme sacrifice?

Major TRYON

No, Sir, as the hon. Member has referred to the Government, I would remind him that all Governments, including the last Government, have been in agreement with the decision which I have just announced. With regard to this particular point, I could not accept the proposal to give these children war pensions for life for infirmities which were not attributable to the war, when ex-service men themselves have no right to pensions in similar circumstances.

Mr. JOHN

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that their predicament is on account of the War and their fathers having been killed in the War?

Major TRYON

The infirmities of these men and women who have now grown up are in no way due to the War.

Mr. JOHN

If the War had not occurred, would not some of the infirmities have been—

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Mander.