§ Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Pensions whether a widow drawing pension in respect of her deceased husband can continue to receive the pension if she leaves this country to reside in another part of the Empire?
§ Sir W. WomersleyPayment of pension granted to a war widow can, on application, be transferred to any part of the Empire, within the sterling area, to which she is proceeding. If she is proceeding outside the sterling area, transfer of payment may be made in certain exceptional circumstances but otherwise the pension would of course remain available to her in this country.
§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will indicate the constitutional or other difficulties, which are not capable of solution and which prevent the Royal Warrant for the Military Forces, Command 6419 (Statutory Rule and Order, 1943, No. 204), Navy and Marines and Order by His 387W Majesty for the Air Force, No. 61, being co-ordinated into one system whereby anomalies and complications might be removed?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe three instruments to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are identical in substance and I am not aware of any anomalies or complications which would be removed if one instrument were issued instead of three. In these circumstances, as such a step would require to be considered in relation to the administration of Service pensions in peace time, I see no occasion for any departure from the long standing practice under which separate instruments are issued in respect of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.