HC Deb 07 June 1917 vol 94 cc361-3W
Mr. BYRNE

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the treatment of Frank J. Murphy, 2, Temple Street, Dublin; if he is aware that this man was invalided on 17th January last for gastritis, which is considered to have been aggravated by his service in the Royal Navy; that he was awarded a pension of 5s. a week which was later increased to 5s. 6d.; that this man is a mechanical engineer and left a good position to join the Navy; and that he is now rendered unfit to follow his trade; if he will say whether 5s. 6d. is the maximum amount allowed to discharged soldiers or sailors who are compelled to take up light employment at small wages; and if he will see that this, man will be awarded the maximum gratuity to enable him to start a small business?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I am aware of the facts of Frank Murphy's case. The amount of pension awarded to him is in accordance with the extent of his disablement as assessed by the naval doctors by whom he was invalided. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the scheme of alternative pension provided under Clause 3 of the Order in Council of the 30th March last, which is intended to deal with this class of case. The man should lay the facts of his case before his local committee.

Mr. BARLOW

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Private A. Sinnott, who joined the 48th Training Reserve Battalion on 14th November, 1916, and has since been transferred to the l/7th Welsh Regiment, No. 29540, B Company, at Whitley, whether he is aware that he is the sole source of maintenance of his mother, Mrs. Sinnott, who lives at 179, Robert Hall Street, Salford, and that since he joined she has received not one penny of allowance in respect of him; and if he will inquire why this delay has occurred?

Mr. FORSTER

It will be necessary to inquire into this case. I have called for a report and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private J. G. Rogers, No. 13564, 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, enlisted on the 17th of October, 1916, and made an allotment of 3s. 6d. per week in favour of his mother, whose claim to be his dependant was allowed, but who has not received separation allowance, although she made application for it more than eleven weeks ago; and if he will give instructions for the arrears due to Mrs. Rogers to be paid without delay, and for the separation allowance to which she is entitled to be paid punctually for the future?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiries will be made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Mr. H. P. HARRIS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the case of William Plant, father of Rifleman E. Plant, Rifle Brigade, No. 30599, who was called up on 3rd January, 1917, allotted 3s. 6d. to his father, and claimed dependant's allowance for him; whether he is aware that the pensions officer did not call to investigate the claim for more than four months after the soldier's enlistment, and that as the result of this delay, the son having been killed in action on 4th May, 1917, the dependent father has been instantly deprived of the 3s. 6d. a week allotted by his son, whereas if the investigation had been carried through in a reasonable period, and the claim proved, the father would have been in receipt of a dependant's allowance in addition to the allotment and would have continued to draw this for twenty-six weeks after the death of his son; whether he will take steps to remedy the injustice which appears to have been caused in this case; and whether measures will be taken to expedite the investigation of dependants' claims, which is seriously in arrear?

Mr. FORSTER

I am having inquiry made into this case and will let my hon. Friend know the result.