HC Deb 08 February 1940 vol 357 cc407-8
78. Miss Rathbone

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, and under what conditions, the widows or other dependants of men who have died in the performance of their service in the armed Forces can secure, pending the assessment of any pension to which they are entitled, the temporary continuance of any hardship grants or allowances in excess of the ordinary rate of separation allowances which they may have been receiving prior to the service man's death?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that in cases of death on service any war service grant in payment will be continued, pending a decision on entitlement to pension, for a period of 13 weeks.

Miss Rathbone

Will the hon. Gentleman please supplement that by saying whether the allowance will be continued automatically and, if not, to whom the widow or dependant must make application for a continuation of the allowance?

Sir W. Womersley

The allowance granted by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee will be continued automatically and it will not be necessary for a widow or dependant to make a fresh application.