§ 39. Mr. McGovernasked the Minister of Pensions how Gunner P. J. McCarroll, No. 3312677, met his death, and the reason for refusal of pension to Mrs. B McCarroll, 1237, Gallowgate, Parkhead, Glasgow, E.1; and whether he will reconsider the granting of pension to this lady and her children?
§ Sir W. WomersleyWhen Gunner McCarroll me this death by drowning in a quarry he was not on duty, and there was no military reason why he should have been in the neighbourhood of the quarry. I regret that I have no power to award pension in this case, as death was not attributable to military service.
§ Mr. McGovernIs it not the case that this man was proceeding from a village to his camp by a short cut and was drowned, and is it not a complete reversal of the desire of the nation that in such circumstances a widow and children should be prevented from getting a pension?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThat is not a correct statement, and I strongly advise the hon. Member to come to my room after Questions and see the papers in connection with the case, for the sake of the man's reputation.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat ever the circumstances regarding the man's death, is it not obvious that something ought to be done for his widow and children? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take that into account?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThat is an entirely different matter. I have no power under the Orders which have been approved by the House to grant a pension in a case such as this.
§ 40. Mr. McGovernasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to reconsider the granting of a pension to the widow of Sergeant McGurk, who was killed while riding on a military lorry which collided with another Army vehicle; and whether he will state his reasons for refusal of pension to the widow?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAs I have already informed the hon. Member, I regret that I have no power to award a pension where, as in the case of Sergeant McGurk, death was not attributable to military service.
§ Mr. McGovernWould the right hon. Gentleman state under what circumstances this man met his death?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAll the papers have been handed over to the War Office; apparently it is a case for them, and not the Ministry of Pensions, to deal with.
Mr. Shin wellAs there is likely to be a number of cases of this kind where men in the Forces meet their death in accidents not attributable to active service, would the right hon. Gentleman consider asking for further powers?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI do everything I can to assist the claimants for these pensions. If it is a War Office matter, I hand it to them, or if it is a naval matter, it goes to the Admiralty. I give my best on behalf of these people. As regards the question of reconsideration, no evidence has so far been brought to me that that is necessary.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs this is a matter which is apparently beyond the powers of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal if he will take the matter into consideration?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)I suggest that the matter requires further investigation. I have no information at present that it cannot be dealt with adequately either by the pensions authority or the military authorities, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases, I will certainly take them into account.
§ Mr. McGovernAs this matter involves a considerable number of people in the country, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.
§ 41. Mr. Dobbieasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is in a position to inform the House as to the intention of the Government in regard to the extension of the provisions of the Bill now before the House dealing with the repeal of the household means test to the dependants of the members of the Armed Forces, on whose behalf application has been made on Form 21?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAs I informed the hon. Member on 23rd January, this matter is under consideration with the Service Departments. I am not in a position to say what action will be taken until the final provisions of the Bill referred to are known.
§ Mr. DobbieAs these people are the lowest-paid in the country and have no trade union specifically to state their case, and in view of the fact that the applications of thousands have been turned down through the means test, will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to facilitate a decision by the Government on the matter?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI do not accept the statement that thousands of these people have been turned down. This is an exaggeration. I am watching very carefully the passage of this Bill through the House, and if, when it emerges as an Act of Parliament, it affects my Department, I shall act accordingly.
§ Mr. DobbieIs it not a fact that out of 341,000 applications, over 100,000 were turned down through the application of the means test?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir.