HC Deb 17 June 1947 vol 438 cc1773-5
26. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Pensions what pension will be granted to Mrs. Hannah, widow of the late Sergeant Hannah, V.C., and her three daughters.

Mr. J. Hynd

Mrs. Hannah has been awarded a pension for herself, allowances for her three daughters and a rent allowance, amounting in all to 3 17s. a week. In addition the normal family allowances of 10s. a week are, of course, being paid and Mrs. Hannah has been invited to apply for an education grant in respect of her daughter.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the pension he has made is suitable for a man who served his country so conspicuously?

Mr. Hynd

That is the maximum pension payable under the Royal Warrant, which, I think, has the general acceptance of the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The question now being raised is rather wider than the Question on the Order Paper. These are not the complete provisions that can be made by the State in a case of this kind.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Will the Minister consider with his colleagues the possibility of making the small annuity which goes with the Victoria Cross payable to the widow and her children?

Mr. Hynd

That is not within my province.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is it not a fact that the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given do not amount to an extra penny for this lady by reason of her husband's extreme heroism?

Mr. Hynd

The Ministry of Pensions are not charged with making a reward for heroism or for the possession of a particular decoration. The Ministry of Pensions' code is limited to the payment of the statutory amounts, and the maximum is being paid in this case.

Mr. Janner

Is the Minister aware that, owing to the very serious condition in which the widow and the children find themselves, a public subscription list has been opened in Leicester; and will he do all he possibly can, in conjunction with his colleagues, if he is not able to do it by himself alone; to see that this very deserving case is looked into and adequately dealt with very quickly?

Mr. Hynd

I was not aware of the facts which the hon. Gentleman suggests exist in this case. I know that there are certain commitments which this lady undertook before her husband's death, and I think it will be possible for certain arrangements to be made to cover these. I was not aware that the actual circumstances were as hard as the hon. Gentleman has stated.

Mr. James Callaghan

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any point in the allegation that has appeared in some newspapers that there was any delay in his office in dealing with the case?

Mr. Hynd

No; the position is that two days after the husband's death, one of our regional officers visited the lady and arranged for the provisional payment of 68s. a week pending assessment of the pension.

28. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has now reconsidered the case of Mrs. Sheffield, which was referred to him by the hon. Member for Taunton; and if he will grant any increase in her present pension of 27s. 6d. per week.

Mr. J. Hynd

Mrs. Sheffield is at present in receipt of the maximum pension provided by the Royal Warrant, and I have, therefore, no power to grant any increase.

Mr. Collins

Is the Minister aware that Mrs. Sheffield is an invalid widow of 59 years of age, and that her two sons supported her in reasonable comfort until both were killed on active service? Since 27s. 6d. is the maximum pension payable, and, after deduction of rent and fixed charges, she only has 10s. per week to live on, will he not look into this question to see if there is any possible way to increase the maximum?

Mr. Hynd

Of course, I am not empowered to make any increase in the maximum pension payable by my Ministry. It is also not desirable in all cases to isolate the Ministry of Pensions payments from other social insurance arrangements. The fact is that this is the maximum pension payable in the case of a widowed mother. Generally, a widow is in receipt of a widow's or retirement pension. In the case of widowers, they are generally in receipt of old age pensions or disability or sickness benefit from the State. The whole circumstances have to be taken into consideration. So far as my Department is concerned, we have to be bound by the Royal Warrant.

Mr. De la Bère

Change the Royal Warrant.