§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been 293W drawn to the case of Mrs. Halcrow, of Fladabister, Cunningsburgh, Shetland, widow of Alexander Halerow, No. 4,883, Royal Naval Reserve; whether he is aware that the deceased seaman was before his death in receipt of a disability pension of 13s. 9d. weekly, together with an allowance in respect of three children; that subsequently to his death an award of 6s. 10d. weekly was made to the widow under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant, but that inasmuch as no provision is made for allowances in respect of children under this Article the previous allowance for children was withdrawn, with the result that the widow has had to apply for parish relief, the parish allowing her 10s. weekly for her children; and whether the allowance previously made in respect of her children can be restored?
§ Major TRYONI regret that no higher award can be made. My medical advisers were unable to regard the acute illness from which the man died as having any connection with his pensionable disability or his service, and the widow's claim to full pension was consequently refused. This decision of the Ministry was subsequently confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is now, therefore, final.
§ Mr. WESTWOODasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the widow of the late Private James Thomson, No. 201,089, 6th Cameron Highlanders, was granted a pension of 6s. 10d. per week under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant; that this is inadequate; and if he is prepared to reconsider this case with a view to paying an increased pension?
Captain CRAIGThe late soldier did not die of the disability for which he was in receipt of pension, nor, in the opinion of my medical advisers, was the cause of his death in any way connected with his service during the War. This view was upheld by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, who disallowed the widow's appeal. In these circumstances no increase in the pension already awarded to her is admissible.
§ Mr. WESTWOODasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the late William Cockburn, No. 9200, Royal Scots, was 25 years 102 days in the Army; that he was invalided from the Army in June, 1918, on a service pension and an invalid 294W pension; that he was drawing 11s. 6d. per week disability pension for his wife and three children; that he contracted pneumonia from which he died, and that since his death no pension has been paid to his widow or children; and if he will reconsider this case with a view to granting a pension or compassionate allowance?
Captain CRAIGThe Pensions Appeal Tribunal having confirmed the decision of the Ministry that the acute illness from which this man died some four years after discharge was not connected with service in the Great War, I regret that the widow is not eligible for an award of pension or other allowance from my Department.
§ Mr. POTTSasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the stoppage of the pension paid to the widow of Private John Richard Hepinstall, E.S.S., sapper, No. 1994, who was enlisted as Al into the Royal Engineers on the 15th June, 1916, and died on the 28th June, 1916, the cause of death being certified as perforated duodenal ulcer; and if he is aware that Hepinstall's local medical man certifies that no symptoms of duodenal ulcer existed a few days prior to his enlistment, and that Hepinstall had been one of his patients for 16 years?
Captain CRAIGThis soldier died after a few days' home service from a disability which in the opinion of my medical advisers was neither due to nor aggravated by service. This decision has been confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and is now, therefore, final. I may add that the certificate of the doctor referred to received full consideration by the Ministry, and was before the tribunal by whom the appeal was heard.