HC Deb 18 October 1939 vol 352 cc885-6W
Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give an undertaking to the workers who are now offering their lives for the defence of the country that none of their dependants will, in any circumstances, become a charge upon charity or public relief in the event of the soldier's death?

Sir W. Womersley

No such general undertaking could possibly be given since the circumstances, such as illness, in which a former dependant might find himself or herself in need of temporary assistance, such as is normally met by the social services of the country, cannot possibly be foreseen.