§ Mr. H. Whiteasked the Minister of Pensions why an increase of family allowance to a disability pensioner in respect of a child is only paid from the date of application and production of a life certificate and not from the date of birth; and will he take such action as will give this payment, which is at present refused, for the period between the two dates.
§ Mr. MarquandIt is only when application is not made within a reasonable period after the birth of the child that the allowance commences from a later date. Since the announcement in December, 1945, many steps have been taken to make pensioners aware of the fact that they can receive allowances for children born after discharge and I should not be justified in altering the present rules in favour of pensioners who unduly delay their applications.