§ Major McLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will investigate the case of Sergeant-major G. Casebow, The Terrace, Downham Market, late of the 9th Lancers; whether he is aware that the increase of his pension is being discontinued because he cannot furnish a certified statement of his wife's income; that this man has not seen his wife for nine years and does not know if she is still alive or not; and under what authority the increase is being discontinued?
Mr. ROBERTSThe increase was discontinued under the authority of the Pensions Increase Act, 1920, Section 7 (1) of which states "the expression 'Means' in the case of a married person includes the means of both husband and wife." The question as to whether a man who is separated from his wife and has no knowledge of her whereabouts, and consequently is unable to declare his wife's income, can be regarded as a single man for the purposes of the Pensions Increase Act is under consideration, and a decision will be given as soon as possible in the case in question.