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Written Answers

Volume 104: debated on Tuesday 19 March 1918

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Written Answers

War

Old Age Pensions

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated total number of men and women in the United Kingdom who are seventy years of age and over, and how many of them receive old age pensions; what is the total estimated expenditure for the current year on old age pensions; and what would be the estimated cost of such pensions if every man and woman of seventy years of age and over were to receive a full pension unrestricted in amount by any of the conditions now depriving such 'persons of a whole or part of such pensions?

The total of the septuagenarian population of the United Kingdom, according to the census of 1911, was 1,519,612.On the last Friday in 1917 (the latest date for which figures are available) the total number of old age pensioners was 948,582, and of these 938,123 were in receipt of the additional allowance of 2s. 6d. a week in addition to the pensions.The total estimated expenditure on old age pensions and additional allowances for the current year (apart from the expenses of administration) is £12,035,000 for pensions and £6,017,500 for additional allowances.If the total septuagenarian population on the 1911 figures were to receive the full pension and additional allowance, the yearly cost (apart from the expenses of administration) would be £29,632,434.

Food Supplies

Farmers' Losses (Compensation)

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether compensation for proved loss will be given to farmers who have ploughed up grass land in obedience to the instructions of county agricultural committees; and will he issue a circular to farmers instructing them how to proceed to prove loss and recover compensation.

Any fanner who suffers direct and substantial loss in consequence of compliance with a notice or direction issued by a county agricultural executive committee can make a claim for compensation to the Defence of the Realm(Losses) Commission. Instructions on the matter have already been issued, and any farmer who desires to make a claim can obtain copies of the necessary form from his executive committee.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture who is to pay for the eatage in the case of an outgoing tenant ploughing out land at the request of the War Agricultural Committee, by doing which he loses several months' eatage and receives no benefit from the ploughing out owing to his being the outgoing tenant?

Any tenant who suffers direct and substantial loss in consequence of compliance with a notice or direction issued by an agricultural executive committee under the Defence of the Realm Regulations can claim compensation from the Defence of the Realm (Losses) Commission.

Linseed Oil

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why no linseed oil has been released for the manufacture of veterinary medicines, although on 28th February it was stated that immediate grants would be issued; and why, in view of the increasing pressure for this commodity, the application forms stated to be in preparation on 25th February were not obtainable until 12th March?

Unavoidable delay in the completion of the arrangements for supplying linseed oil for veterinary purposes made it impossible for these forms to be issued before the 12th March. In the meantime, however, temporary arrangements were made whereby the local Oilseeds Supply Committees provided supplies of oil for this purpose in cases of urgent necessity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who is responsible for the decision that the use of linseed oil for the purpose of the manufacture of paint, varnish, and linoleum was of greater national importance than for the treatment of cattle, whether individually or for food-cake, by farmers and stock-breeders; when was such decision arrived at; and upon what ground is it justified?

3Rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Private W Hughes)

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that W. Hughes, No. 18239, 3rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, late 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, served in France for two years, suffered from shell-shock, and was in hospital for seven months; that he was reported on by a lady doctor as fit to return to his unit; and that his own doctor refused him permission, but that an ambulance from Newport was sent for him; and whether he will have an inquiry made into the case?

I have written to my hon. Friend for further information regarding this case, to enable me to make the necessary inquiries.

East Africa Campaign (Mentions And Decorations)

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that, having regard to the climatic conditions and difficulties of the East African Campaign, apart from the hard fighting undertaken by the troops involved, the names brought forward for mention and the decorations bestowed on officers and men for actual work in the field are few when compared with those bestowed on officers and men engaged on the Western Front; and will he have this apparent inequality inquired into?

So far as is possible, an even standard of award is maintained in all theatres of war, and the number of mentions and decorations awarded to East Africa are by no means below the average. This theatre of war has received generous treatment throughout for the reasons stated in the question, and, with very few exceptions, all recommendations brought forward by the Commander-in-Chief have been accepted.

Maisons Tolerees (France)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now make a statement as to the policy of the War Office with regard to maisons tolerée in France?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer which I gave to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton.

Military Service

Case Under Inquiry

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has completed his inquiry into the case of William Goldsmith, which was referred to his Department by the Chiswick Local Tribunal on the 8th February last; whether he is prepared to make a Report or give the local tribunal an explanation, of how the man came to be conscripted into the Army while an appeal was pending before the local tribunal, by whom he had been sent for medical examination; and whether any representation has been, or will be, made to the military authorities which will ensure that no repetition of such action shall take place?

I communicated with the Ministry of National Service on receipt of the representations from the local tribunal. I am informed that they have been making inquiries into the case, and that these inquiries are not yet completed. The matter is being expedited.