§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Pensions if persons granted to widows of 652W deceased soldiers are based on the soldier's pre-war earnings; if so, seeing that it was possible for a soldier to have experienced illness during that period or not have worked full time for varying causes, he will consider the question of granting to such widows a minimum pension according to the soldier's pre-War weekly fixed wage?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSA widow's flat-rate pension is given irrespective of the deceased soldier's pre-War earnings, but if it is more favourable to her she can claim an alternative pension based on such earnings. By the terms of the Warrant the pre-War earnings are to be computed generally in accordance with the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. Following the practice under that Act, exceptional interruptions, such as sickness, are disregarded in estimating the average earnings during the pre-War year, while account is taken of such interruptions as were normal and recognised incidents of the man's employment.