§ 66. Sir J. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the sources and amounts of income which may, or may not, be taken into consideration by his Department in determining awards of allowances to disabled ex-service men undergoing treatment for their war disabilities; and whether he will consider the question of allowing patients to-retain the whole or part of any sick club or friendly society benefit received by virtue of voluntary subscriptions?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)It is not possible within the limits of a reply to specify all the sources and amounts of income to which the hon. Member refers as these are necessarily very numerous. Briefly, the position is that as payment of treatment allowances is based on deprivation, consequent upon treatment, of the pensioner's ability to support himself and his family, any sums due to the man in respect of his employment or occupation fall to be taken into consideration. As regards the second part of the Question, benefits derived from sick clubs and friendly societies so far as they fall outside the above principle are retained by the pensioner as in the case of sickness benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts.