Mr. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any remuneration can be claimed by an officer V.C. in necessitous circumstances who is unable through no fault of his own to obtain employment; if there is any fund available from which such deserving cases can be relieved; and what is the difference in the position of an officer V.C. and a private soldier V.C. who happen to be placed in a similar position?
§ Mr. GWYNNEIn reply to the first part of the question, a V.C., whether officer or soldier, who is disabled by age or infirmity from earning a livelihood may be granted an annuity up to £75 a year 545W inclusive of any other pension received from public funds. As regards the second part, the Army Council are in touch with the authorities of certain charitable funds, and if the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case which he has in mind the matter shall receive full and sympathetic attention. It must, however, be understood that the assistance which can be granted in this way is necessarily limited in extent. As regards the third part, a private soldier V.C. is automatically granted an annuity of £10 a year, but this does not apply to officers. If, however, the private were granted the larger annuity up to £75 on account of inability to earn a livelihood, the £10 annuity would be absorbed therein, and there is consequently no difference, in such circumstances, between officers and other ranks.