§ Mr. BLISSasked the Pensions Minister whether the Schedule award, as set forth in the Pay Warrant, is issuable in every case of disability corresponding thereto; and whether at any time and for what reasons a reduction may be made from the amount of the Schedule award?
§ Mr. HODGEI assume that my hon. Friend's question refers to the First Schedule to the Royal Warrant of the 29th of March, 1917. The rates of pension indicated in the Schedule are issuable in every case of corresponding disability attributable to or aggravated by service during the present War, and not caused by the man's own negligence or misconduct. Reductions from the scheduled rate are made in certain circumstances, as, for example, cases in which the disabling wounds were negligently self-inflicted, or in which a man declines to undergo treatment certified to be necessary to his own interests.
§ Mr. BLISSasked the Pensions Minister why a pension awarded for a specified period should be discontinued or reduced before the expiration of that period; and whether, if such reduction be necessary and in accordance with the Regulations, he will provide that the reason should in every case be given to the pensioner?
§ Mr. HODGEPensions may be discontinued if they are forfeited under the Felony Act or if they have been obtained by misrepresentation or by the suppression of essential information. They may also bed is continued or reduced if they have been issued as a result of an official error. It is already the general practice to notify a pensioner of the reason for modifying his pension during the period of an award, and I will inquire whether it is possible to do so in every case.
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Sir MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Private G. Smith, late No. 10194, 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed at Thiepval on 1st July, 1916, why this man's widow, who lives at 130, Slater Street, Seedley, is not entitled to the gratuity of £5, having regard to the fact that this gratuity is expressly provided for the widows of those who fell on or after 1st July, 1916?
§ Mr. HODGEA draft for £5 was sent to the widow of Private G. Smith on the 26th February, 1918. The man was originally declared "missing," and this led to the payment being deferred.
Sir M. BARLOWasked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Sapper Eachus, late No. 1137, Royal Engineers, whether he is entitled, as stated by the Salford Local Pensions Committee officer, to £3 12s in respect of the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to him, in addition to the £10 18s. paid him; if so, why this has been withheld; whether he is aware that from 30th June, 1916, being the date of his discharge, to 31st December, 1916, by way of pension and allowance, this man has been paid £24 12s., whereas during that period of twenty-six weeks the amount, on his rate of 12s. 6d. for himself and Vs. 6d. for six children, should have been £26; and why the difference of £1 Ss. has been withheld?
§ Mr. HODGEI have had some difficulty in ascertaining the facts of this case, but; I am having inquiries made, and I will see that any sums found to have been improperly withheld from Sapper Eachus are immediately paid.
Sir M. BARLOWasked the Pensions Minister, with regard to the case of Joseph Holgate, late No. 218327, Labour Corps, now living at 15, Grosvenor Street, Higher Broughton, whether any reason can be assigned for the admitted loss of papers in this case; whether anyone has been reprimanded for the loss; and whether any and, if so, what steps have been taken to see that proper separation allowance is awarded?
§ Mr. FORSTERSuch losses of papers are liable occasionally to occur in a vast organisation working at high pressure. No specific reason can be assigned in this instance, and no individual can be selected for reprimand. An advance payment has been made, and regular issue of the allowance is being arranged.