Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Bertie Stephen Kennell has recently been discharged from Banstead Mental Hospital, where he was a private service patient; whether he was informed by the hospital authorities that he would receive 2s. 6d. per week as pocket-money allowance during the time he was in hospital; whether, instead of spending this money, Kennell preferred to save it towards obtaining a new outfit if and when he was dicharged from hospital; whether, on being discharged, he was informed that, as he had not drawn his allowance week by week, amounting to £23 10s., it was consequently forfeited; and whether, seeing that such action on the part of the authorities is a penalty on the man for his thrift, he will have immediate inquiries made into the matter with a view to Kennell being granted the full amount which he had saved?
§ Major TRYONThe period during which the weekly allowance due to Mr. Kennell was left to accumulate was from 12th December, 1917, to 15th March, 1920. I am not aware of the circumstances which led Mr. Kennell to believe that his savings had been forfeited, but I am glad to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the amount due (£14 15s.) has now been paid.