§ 31. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Pensions why the widow of a naval rating killed in the war, of whose name he has been informed, has had the weekly allowance of us. for her son, who is still at school, stopped; and, as it has not been restored, in spite of letters to his Department, if he will take immediate steps to remove this hardship.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe widow was notified on 26th July that the allowance had been restored with effect from 15th June and would continue in payment to the end of the summer holidays by which time a decision will have been reached as regards the future arrangements for her son's education. I regret that owing to an error of judgment a temporary extension of the allowance was not made straight away for the period for which it was known that the boy would still be at school.
§ Mr. LipsonTo prevent cases of hardship like this recurring, would it be possible to send a notice three months before the normal school leaving age, so that the matter can be adjusted in time and a widow will not have to go without her allowance for her son in the intervening weeks, as has been done in this case?
§ Mr. PalingI do not think that is possible, but I will look into it. Generally, these people do let us know well ahead.