§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are taken to bring to the notice of naval recruits the forms necessary for them to sign in order to secure separation allowance or dependant allowance for members of their family; and whether he is aware that in. many cases men make allotment and afterwards find that their relatives cannot receive separation allowance until some other paper has been signed, that in such, cases arrears are not paid from the date of the original allotment, and that hardship is thereby caused?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend evidently alludes to separation allowances to dependants other than wives. If a. recruit wishes to claim separation allowance for such a dependant he has only to-sign one form, in addition to declaring an allotment in the dependant's favour. That one form is a declaration indicating the nature and extent of the dependence; and the instruction that has been issued in the matter to Commanding Officers is that every facility is to be given to recruits to declare an allotment and to complete this form of declaration.
The man's and his dependant's interests-are finally safeguarded by a provision that, even if he does not sign the form of declaration immediately upon his entry into His Majesty's Service, all arrears of separation allowance are paid provided he-completes the form and allots to his. dependant within one month of his entry.
If my hon. Friend has any particular instance of forfeiture of arrears of separation allowance in his mind I shall be happy to have it investigated, but I think he will agree with me that all precautions have been taken to prevent the occurrence of bonâfide cases.
Perhaps I may say as regards wives the matter is simpler. Separation allowances are awarded on a flat rate, and there is no need for a declaration as to the extent of the dependence. All the husband has to do is to declare an allotment in his wife's favour.
§ Colonel Sir H. GREENWOODasked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Captain H. C. Heys-Thomson, late 3rd Leinster Regiment, was granted a temporary disability pension at the rate 1823W of £175 a year from 10th July, 1917, to 31st January, 1918; that, after a medical board in January, 1918, he received a letter, dated 28th January, 1918, from the Ministry of Pensions reducing his pension to £l per week from 14th January, 1918, to July, 1918; that in a subsequent letter the Ministry stated that, owing to a Clerical error, the original pension was awarded up to 31st January, 1918, instead of up to 13th January, 1918; that this officer is suffering from the disability with which he was invalided out of the Army; that his mother is dependent upon him, although, in consequence of his disability, he is unable to earn his living; and whether, in view of his service in France and during the Irish rebellion, he will take steps to reconsider his case, with a view to his being granted an adequate pension?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Hodge)This officer was granted temporary retired pay at the maximum rate of £175 a year from the 10th July, 1917, to the 13th January. 1918, but in a letter acquainting him of the award the date of termination was, by a clerical error, shown as 31st January. This was afterwards corrected. He was re-examined in January by a Special Medical Board, and in accordance with their opinion was granted further temporary retired pay up to the 21st July next at the rate of £ 52 10s. He has recently appealed for a higher rate, and his appeal has been carefully considered by my medical advisers, who are unable to alter their opinion as to the degree of his disablement. The question of defraying the cost of his medical expenses is being dealt with, and an application for alternative retired pay based on pre-war earnings will be considered.