HC Deb 09 February 1937 vol 320 cc217-8
58. Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship involved by the stoppage at the age of 21 years of an allowance to an invalid child of an ex-service man unless both parents are dead; and whether he will consider introducing amending legislation to remove this condition?

The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)

The general principle embodied in the Warrant provisions referred to is of long standing and has been maintained by every succeeding Government for reasons which, after the fullest consideration, I am satisfied are sound. The position is fully set out in the replies (of which I am sending the hon. Gentleman copies) given in this House by two of my predecessors, the right hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. O. Roberts) and my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General. In the circumstances I am unable to recommend the adoption of the course suggested.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter in view of the fact that the burden on the surviving parent is increased and not diminished when the child is incapable of earning its own living and becomes of age?

Mr. Ramsbotham

If the right hon. Gentleman will study the reasons given in the reply, he will see the difficulty.

Mr. Tinker

May we ask the hon. Gentleman, when we bring genuine cases which require attention, not to hide behind what Ministers have done before?