asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inform the House why young people under the age of 15 years are ineligible for compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme?

Young people under the age of 15 are not ineligible for compensation under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. The Scheme covers every child, however young, but payment of pension does not begin until he is 15 unless, when he is injured, he has started work. Free medical treatment is of course available for war-injured children but there is no reason for making money payments to children who are not employed and have not reached the normal working age.

If the children have been injured, surely that will mean an expense to the parents, and therefore whatever is due to the children at 15 should be paid during the period of injury so as to help the parents to meet the increased expense.

Free hospital treatment is provided by the Government.