§ 27. Mr. Loganasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Gunner Peter Dykstra, No. 933434, Royal Artillery, has had his right foot blown off and now only receives 9s. 9d. per week pension; that he gave his widowed mother 40s. per week before joining up; and what action does he intend to take to make a more adequate pension allowance?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the facts. Mr. Dykstra is at present receiving pension at the total disablement rate, and will continue to receive this rate until an artificial foot has been fitted and he is 152 judged to be in a condition to use it. The rate of 9s. 9d. referred to is that judged to be appropriate to the estimated permanent disablement.
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir. He is not; he is receiving 32s. 6d.
§ Mr. LoganWould the Minister kindly see whether this man is receiving that money, because I have not got that information?
§ Mr. Leslie BoyceOn a point of Order. Is it not a gratuitous waste of time of the House to have these individual cases brought forward when, as has been admitted in the House, the facts of this case were not known to the hon. Member who raised the Question and could have been obtained by writing to the Minister?
§ Mr. LoganFurther to that point of Order. I have the facts from the man's home in my pocket now, so that it is not a gratuitous waste of time.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have often dealt with that point of Order before. It has always been the practice in this House that Members can bring cases of local or individual personal interest to the notice of the House at Question Time.
§ Sir W. WomersleyMay I suggest that the hon. Member sees me after Questions?