HC Deb 06 March 1918 vol 103 cc2006-8W
Mr. BYRNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mrs. Katherine Kennedy, mother of Driver John Kennedy, No. 26037], Army Service Corps, is now living in a cellar at 11. Lower Gardener Street, Dublin, where she is trying to exist on 3s. 6d., her only income, allotted to her by her son, who previous to enlistment allowed his mother 26s. per week; if he is aware that this soldier's mother has signed a sworn declaration to this effect, which has been sent with an appeal to the paymaster at Woolwich; if he will see that this woman will be paid the full separation allowance, with arrears, that is allowed to mothers of soldiers; if he is aware that this woman has pawned all her household goods in order to secure food whilst her son is fighting for the protection of the weaker nations; and if he is aware that the only protection that has been offered to her is a shelter in the Dublin Workhouse?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Mrs. Kennedy's claim for separation allowance was disallowed by the pension authorities, who, after investigating the case on appeal, were not satisfied as to the facts alleged, and adhered to their original finding.

Mr. F. MEEHAN

asked the Under secretary of State for War if he is aware that Corporal John Nagle, No. 9006, E Company, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, who joined in November, 1916, and is now in hospital in France, made the usual allowance to his mother out of his pay, which was supplemented by the sum of Is. 5d. per week on the ground that previous to his enlisting he was not out of his time as an apprentice; and whether, having regard to the fact that he had only one month to serve to complete his apprentice ship, and that he would now be receiving £ 40 per year all found, and would be in a position to support his mother, inquiries will be made, and a more liberal allowance granted?

Mr. HODGE

The facts of this case are not quite accurately stated in the question. Corporal Nagle was out of his apprenticeship, and earning £ 40 a year, all found, for some months before his enlistment, and in these circumstances the case does not come within the apprentice Regulation of the Special Grants Committee. The pension officer appears to found a dependence of 2s. a week, and so far as the Special Grants Committee are aware, no appeal against this decision was made by Mrs. Nagle.