HC Deb 10 November 1942 vol 383 cc2303-4W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the pensioned soldiers from the Great War, 1914–18, are still inmates or being treated in our mental hospitals?

Sir W. Womersley

I am unable to give separate figures for the Army, but the total number of Great War pensioners of all Services who were receiving in-patient treatment in mental hospitals in this country on the 30th September was 4,928.

Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that a pension has been refused to the widow of a soldier who was passed A1 when he volunteered in November, 1939, and who died in September, 1942, he will take steps to amend the Royal Warrant so as to make a pension payable, on retirement or death, if he has been accepted as A1 when he joined the forces?

Sir W. Womersley

The principle on which war pensions are granted is that the death or disablement must be connected with war service and I am not prepared to depart from that principle.

Mr. Graham White

asked the Minister of Pensions whether increased payments to dependants of soldiers in respect of service allowances and proficiency pay are automatically deducted by an equal or increased amount from any war service grant which may be in force at the time?

Mr. Paling

An increase in family income resulting from a higher rate of regulated allowance, including a higher qualifying allotment, is not automatically reflected in a reduced war service grant. The grant is, however, reexamined and there would commonly be some reduction, though not necessarily of the same amount as the increase in allowance. The effect on war service grants of the recent increase in children's allowance is at present under consideration.