Colonel THORNEasked the Pensions Minister whether those South African citizens who came to this country in the early days of the War at their own expense and enlisted and who, after being disabled, are returning to South Africa, are awarded pensions at the British rates, being regarded as British soldiers, instead of being given pensions at the higher South African rates; whether South African widows, whose husbands displayed similar patriotism and were killed, are granted pensions at British rates, with a supplementation from the Governor-General's fund; and whether he will take such steps as will ensure that pensions in such cases shall be paid on the basis of the higher South African scales, without charitable additions?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIn the case of South Africans enlisting in British units and their dependants, pensions can only be paid by the British Government at the rates allowed by the Royal Warrant. The question of supplementing these rates is a matter for the South African Government, but I am informed that a disabled South African who enlisted in a British unit can be granted a supplementary pension which will put him on the same-footing as if he had enlisted in South Africa.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider a modification to Article 19 of the Royal Warrant of 1918 or, alternatively, a modification of the regulations of the special grants committee so that the large number of war widows who had been deserted by their husbands prior to the enlistment of the latter may be awarded pensions, in view of the fact that if these men had not joined the Service they would have been compelled by the civil authorities to maintain their wives and families who are now deprived by the State of their means of support?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIf the widow had obtained a maintenance order against her husband a pension, with 3451W children's allowances, can be granted under Article 19 of the Royal Warrant. If she had not obtained an order, and was not being supported by the soldier, no pension can be given, but the special grants committee will give a special allowance under their regulations where the failure to obtain a maintenance order was not due to the woman's own default or negligence. In this manner the genuinely deserving cases are met, and I do not consider that an amendment of the warrant or regulations is necessary.