§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the father of the late Private F. J. Campbell, No. 33,768, 5th Battalion Yorkshire" Regiment, was in receipt of a pension up to August, 1919; that then, without any agreement or even consultation, a gratuity of £45 was paid; that when the Records Office was written to on this point the reply was that the account was closed; and whether it was intended that before 1551W any gratuity should take the place of a pension the dependents were to be consulted and, if possible, an agreement reached, and only when this failed were the authorities authorised to make the final decision?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe hon. Member appears to have been misinformed, as no pension has ever been paid in respect of the late Private Campbell. Separation allowance was drawn by Mrs. Campbell, the deceased soldier's stepmother, until January, 1919, and a gratuity was then awarded, payable by weekly instalments, which ceased in October last. Under present Regulations, however, it is possible that Mrs. Campbell may be eligible for a parent's pension and the case is therefore being further investigated.