HC Deb 30 May 1918 vol 106 cc999-1000W
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Pensions Minister if he will have attention given to the case of W. Edwards, No. 148626, late O.S., Royal Naval Air Service, who was awarded a pension, and who applied for forms for the alternative pension scheme in January last, which forms were completed and forwarded early in January, since when he has been unable to get any reply from the Ministry except printed acknowledgments; and will he see that the case receives, early consideration?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Mr. Edwards applied for an alternative pension on the 14th January last. The application was referred to the local committee for the necessary verification of pre-war earnings but was not returned until the 13th April. Mr. Edwards has now been awarded an alternative pension at the maximum rate of £3 15s. a week, provisionally, for a period of twenty-six weeks, pending a report as to his present earning capacity. He was informed of the award on the 14th instant.

Sir H. NIELD

asked the Pensions Minister whether any arrangements are being made to reassess the pensions of officers and their dependants; what stage have such arrangements, if any, reached; and when is it expected that the work of reassessment will be completed?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Arrangements were made for the reassessment, under the Royal Warrant of the 1st August last, of the pensions of officers and their dependants immediately on the Warrant being enacted. Some 3,300 re- assessments have been made, and the work is now complete except for about twenty cases in which special inquiries have been found necessary.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the arrangements, if any, for paying allowances to men discharged as surplus to military requirements or in order to take up civil employment during the period after discharge while these men are obtaining employment; and for how long these allowances are paid?

Mr. FORSTER

Normally a soldier discharged to civil employment as surplus to military requirements who is not eligible for pension receives his full Army pay and allowances for seven days after return to civil life. The officer commanding the man's unit is empowered to make such advance of cash when the man leaves as his allowances and the state of his account will allow pending final settlement by the paymaster.