HC Deb 25 November 1941 vol 376 cc600-1
60. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Pensions upon what ground a widow of a soldier killed while on leave in a traffic accident is treated less favourably for pension than a widow of a soldier killed while on leave by enemy action?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions (Mr. Paling)

Compensation is paid by the State for injury or death from enemy action both to soldiers and to civilians, but it has no liability to the general population for injury or death from a traffic accident. There is no reason for providing specially in this respect for a soldier on leave, as his risk of meeting with such an accident is in no way occasioned by his military service

Sir J. Mellor

Will my hon. Friend say what is the criterion? Is it not whether or not the death is attributable to military service, and, if so, how are these two cases distinguished from one another?

Mr. Paling

The distinction would be between the position of a soldier and a civilian arising out of the same class of accident.

Mr. Shinwell

Do we understand that if a soldier while on leave is unfortunately killed, his widow and dependants are not entitled to a pension?

Mr. Paling

We have recently made some concessions on that point to cover him while proceeding on leave to or from his home or his billet. Otherwise the answer would be "No"—unless his death arose out of military action.

Mr. John Dugdale

What does the term "leave" imply exactly? Does it imply being away for a few hours?

Mr. Paling

It implies more or less when the soldier is off duty and when he is more or less his own master.

Sir J. Mellor

But if the soldier is killed by an accident when on leave, does not his death arise just as much from military service as if he were killed by a bomb?

Mr. Paling

That position has not been accepted up to the present.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the hon. Gentleman convey to the Minister of Pensions the dissatisfaction in all quarters with the present position; and can it be reconsidered?