HC Deb 20 May 1943 vol 389 cc1259-60W
Sir W. Wayland

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in view of the fact that the wife or widow of a member of the Forces whom she has been compelled to divorce is deprived of any benefit for herself and her children, he will consider an alteration in the regulations in order to remedy this injustice and the hardship it frequently imposes?

Sir W. Womersley

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the children of a wife or widow who has divorced her husband are deprived of the benefits provided by the instruments administered by my Department. As regards the woman herself, I should not be justified in proposing that those instruments should confer on her rights additional to those already provided by law for the community as a whole.

Mr. Hutchinson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that delays are taking place in the issue of war service grants; and whether he will expedite the approval and issue of such grants?

Mr. Paling

I am not aware that there is any general delay in the issue of war service grants by my Ministry though there is always a small percentage of cases where the facts can only be elicited after protracted inquiry. We are always improving the machinery and shall continue to do so, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind where undue delay appears to have occurred, I should be glad to investigate them.