§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the wife of Private A. Fisher, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, has received no allowances though her husband has served over three and a half years, although application has been made to the War Office, the Pensions Department, and the paymaster at York?
§ Mr. FORSTERSeparation allowance is not issuable for Mrs. Fisher as she was separated from and not supported by her husband prior to his enlistment, but allowance at the motherless rate is in issue for the child of the marriage.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will 3447W accelerate the decision in the appeal case for separation allowance of Miss M. Westhead, 5, Adelaide Street, Blackburn, dependant of Private G. Westhead, No. 97440, 52nd Grad. Battalion, Manchester Regiment?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will cause inquiry to be made, and let the hon. Member know the result.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider the issue of a definite order directing local war pensions committees to pay the bonus due to a discharged man on completion of a course of training without any delay in cases where the committees are unable to find employment for him, and where his pension is insufficient to support him?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENLocal war pensions committees have already been given definite instructions to pay the bonus in all cases immediately on the completion of the course. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Instructions.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Pensions Minister if there is a special attendance grant in cases where a discharged soldier in receipt of the full disability pension requires someone constantly in attendance upon him; if this grant is made through the local war pensions committee; and, in view of the fact that the local war pensions committees do not appear to be aware of this regulation, will he call their attention to it?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENA totally disabled soldier requiring a constant attendant may be granted a special allowance of an amount not exceeding 20s. a week. The award is made by the Soldiers Awards Branch, at Chelsea, on the recommendation of the local committees (or in blind cases, "St. Dunstan's"), who investigate the circumstances of the case, and report as to the amount which in their opinion should be granted. The local committees have had very definite instructions as to the principles which should guide them in making their recommendations, and I do not consider that any reminder is necessary.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Pensions Minister why the pension case of Private J. Davey, No. 6072, Loyal North Lancashires, has not been settled, seeing that this man has been missing since September, 1914, and the War Office, 3448W by letter dated 28th September, 1915, said that steps were being taken to presume his death; and will he say why a delay of three years took place before the Minister of Pensions sent the form to the late soldier's mother?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThis case appears only now to have been brought to the notice of my Department. I am in communication with the regimental-paymaster and I will see that the case is speedily settled.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has reconsidered the question of allowances to the wives of agricultural soldier substitutes?
§ Mr. FORSTERI regret that it has not been found possible to reverse the decision that separation allowance cannot be paid in these cases.