Mr. BARLOWasked the Secretary of State for War whether the interim grants in the case of discharged men of 10s. and 20s. are now abolished, and an interim grant of 14s. and two weeks' separation allowance is substituted for it in all cases; and whether, seeing that the new interim arrangement is likely to cause confusion, he will consider the desirability of continuing the soldier's pay with ration allowance and separation allowance till the pension is fixed?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe new arrangement has already come into effect, and, as far as I am aware, no confusion exists. I fear I cannot make the further modification suggested.
Mr. BARLOWasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private T. G. Ellison, who volunteered early in the War, was discharged from the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers on 6th November, 1915, without a civilian coat, suffering fom lung trouble, after seven months in hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that his illness was entirely due to his military service, some State provision will be made to help Private Ellison, who has a wife and four children?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis case was fully considered at the time, and was reconsidered on appeal. The medical authorities are clear that the disability was neither caused nor aggravated by military service, and a pension cannot therefore be given from Army Funds.
§ Mr. DICKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 1566W in the case of the wife of a soldier who is receiving separation allowances for herself and children who has to go into a public institution for reasons of health her own allowance is stopped; and whether, as the result of this is to inflict hardship upon the family by depriving them of money necessary for keeping up the home, he will alter the Regulations so as to obviate or reduce this hardship?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Regulation is as stated, except that the allowance for the children is increased to the higher rate as for motherless children. The question of making further provision to mitigate hardship in such cases, is already receiving sympathetic consideration.
Mr. BARLOWasked the Minister for Labour whether Private W. G. Quin was discharged on 15th April, 1916, after 189 days' service in the Royal Engineers, 66th East Lancashire Division, with exemplary character as no longer fit for war service; whether he is aware that he has a wife and nine children, and that the £1 a week allowed to Quin by the Chelsea Commissioners down to about the end of June was then suddenly stopped, and a demand for £11 overpayment has now been made; whether he is aware that Quin is only capable of light and occasional work; and whether it is still suggested that the £11 should be refunded?
§ Mr. FORSTERThrough a mistake in the identity of this man the temporary allowance in advance of pension was erroneously paid him at the rate of £l a week for eleven weeks after the Chelsea Commissioners had notified that he was not entitled to any pension. It has now been decided to waive the recovery of the overissue.
Mr. BARLOWasked the Minister for Labour whether he is aware that Corporal J. Noden, No. 3625, late 8th Lancashire Fusiliers, Territorial Force, of 3, Hodson Street, Salford, was discharged on 16th March, 1916, after 326 days' service, as no longer physically fit for service; that he is a married man with eight children under sixteen years of age; that owing to asthma contracted in, or aggravated by, Army service he is incapable of work and has been so found by his trade union; and whether the Chelsea Commissioners have refused to make any grant of pension?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis man was discharged after 326 days' service, all at 1567W home. He was not subjected to any exceptional hardship or exposure; and as the Commissioners were advised by the medical authorities that the disability was neither caused nor aggravated by military service, they were unable to award him a pension.