§ Mr. BARKERasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that George Albert Stokes, No. 1,700, A.B., Royal Naval Division, was fatally wounded on 3rd November, 1917; that his mother, Isabella Stokes, at present residing at Newbridge, Monmouthshire, applied for a dependant's pension on 1st February, 1918; that this pension was not granted until February, 1925; and that Mrs. Stokes is now applying for the arrears of pension due to her; and will he have the case immediately investigated with a view to granting this application?
§ Major TRYONThe hon. Member has been misinformed as to the facts of this case. Mrs. Stokes was, I find, awarded a pension of 5s. a week, under Article 21 (1) (c) of the Royal Warrant of December, 1919, dating from February, 1922 (not 1025). This class of pension, which was introduced at the end of 1918, was awarded from date of application only. No trace can be found of any previous application by Mrs. Stokes; but in any case, if she had made inquiries in February, 1918, she would not have been eligible for this pension.