§ 4. Sir F. Bennettasked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he has taken with regard to the claim of Mrs. Thipthorpe to entitlement to a widow's pension from the British Government following the death of her husband, Percival Edgar Thipthorpe, on 8th August, 1947; and what has been the result.
§ Mr. OramNone, Sir. Mrs. Thipthorpe is resident in India and responsibility for any award of pension rests with the Government of India and not with the British Government.
§ Sir F. BennettDoes the Minister appreciate the importance of this, even though it is only an individual case, and does he realise that there is considerable doubt as to whether Mrs. Thipthorpe's husband did not the at a time when the responsibility lay with us—even if only a few days before India became independent? Does he realise that under successive Governments this unfortunate widow has had her case bandied backwards and forwards like a tennis ball? Should not the Minister look into this again to make sure that we have no final responsibility in this matter?
§ Mr. OramThe whole matter has been carefully considered, but if the hon. Gentleman has further details of the kind he mentions and he would send them to us we would gladly look at this further.