§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why a reduction of 5s. in the dependency separation allowance of Mrs. Peters, the mother of Private J. Peters, No. 84,076, Machine Gun Corps, has been made; if this deduction is-because her son was admitted to the general hospital, at Boulogne, suffering from appendicitis; and, if so, whether it is the practice of the War Office to leave the dependants of soldiers without maintenance allowance in such circumstances?
1737W
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir. The deduction was made not because of the soldier's admission to hospital, but on account of his having forfeited ten days' pay. I may add that as soldiers have since been relieved from payment of allotments in such cases, with retrospective effect from 29th September last, the 5s. has been refunded to Mrs. Peters.
§ Mr. WATTasked the Pensions Minister what provision is made in the way of pension or gratuity for the next-of-kin of officers or men who meet with death either by accident or through illness while engaged on Home Service; and what provision is made for officers and men who are wounded while engaged at home?
§ Mr. HODGEI fear it would be quite impossible for me to give the information asked for in the form of a reply to a question, but, broadly speaking, the pensions and gratuities which may be paid to the family or dependants of officers or men depend on whether death was attributable to military service, and this term includes service at home during the present War as well as service at the front. I will have copies of the principal Warrants sent to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Pensions Minister whether a man who has signed Army Form No. 3,529 will be at any disadvantage in regard to pension as compared with a man who did not sign it?