§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Daniel McGuire, A.B., R.N.D., C.Z.6375, joined up at the outbreak of war, and was sent 1519W back to England in 1916; that this man was married on the 8th December, 1916, when on leave, and then went back to duty, being eventually sent up to the firing line, and was finally discharged at the end of 1917; that this man was in receipt of a pension for pulmonary tuberculosis, but he is refused an allowance for his wife on the ground that his pensionable disability was contracted prior to the date of his marriage; and whether, in view of the fact that this man was sufficiently fit to be sent to the firing line after his marriage, he will now reconsider this decision; and whether he will now give instructions for the payment of the allowance on behalf of this man's wife?
§ Major TRYONI am inquiring into this case, and will communicate, the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Daniel M'Kinnon, 283, Govan Road, Govan, has had his pension and allowances reduced, on the ground that one of his children for whom be was receiving an allowance is over age; that he was also informed that deductions would be made to effect a recovery of an overpayment of £65 12s. 2d. made to him in respect of this child; that close upon £20 has been deducted, and the balance of £48 it was decided not to force recovery; that the daughter for whom this allowance was being received by Mr. M'Kinnon was acting as his housekeeper and attending to the upbringing of a younger daughter, for whom he is still in receipt of an allowance; if an allowance for a housekeeper is not permitted; and whether he is prepared to reconsider this case and resume the allowance to this daughter, together with a return of the money already deducted from his pension?
§ Major TRYONThe payments referred to were clearly irregular, the allowance for the child, who had attained the age of 16, being inadmissible under the terms of the Royal Warrant, and I do not see my way to recommend repayment of that part of the over-issue which has been recovered. An allowance for a housekeeper is not provided under the Royal Warrants.