HC Deb 25 February 1920 vol 125 cc1708-9W
Captain BAGLEY

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Farnworth local war pensions committee recommended Mr. William Pitchford for a grant on 15th August last; whether they have since written repeatedly without receiving reply or acknowledgment: what is the cause of the delay in dealing with this case; and when a settlement may be expected?

Sir R. HORNE

I am having enquiry made into this case and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as early as possible.

Mr. ALFRED SHORT

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of W. Stott, late private, No. 8578, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was discharged in March, 1916; that this man applied in December, 1919, for a grant of £150 from the Civil Liabilities Committee to enable him to purchase a motor lorry, in order to start in business as a haulage contractor; that the grant was strongly recommended by the local war pensions committee, but was disallowed by the Civil Liabilities Committee on the ground that it was out of date; and whether, in view of this man's disability, he will make inquiries with a view to having this case reconsidered?

Sir R. HORNE

The facts in this case as stated by my hon. Friend are correct. I had no alternative but to refuse the application under the Regulation governing the Civil Liabilities Department at the time the decision was made. Since then, however, the Regulations as to out-of-date applications has been modified to meet certain classes of cases, and this particular case is already under reconsideration with a view to seeing whether it is one which can be brought within the revised Regulations. I should, however, add that the maximum grant payable under the Regulations is £104.

Mr. SITCH

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of George Alleston, late private, No. 427,053, Labour Corps, 441st Agricultural Company, who was demobilised on 2nd May, 1919; whether in December, 1919, Alleston had the offer of a glebe farm, and applied for a grant from the Civil Liabilities Committee for £50 to enable him to lay in stock; whether the Civil Liabilities Committee reported that the application was out-of-date, the man having been discharged for over a year before making the application; and whether, in view of the fact that this man will not have been discharged 12 months until May of this year, he will have further inquiries made into the case?

Sir R. HORNE

I am having this case inquired into and will communicate the result to the hon. Member at the earliest possible moment.