Mental Treatment Act, 1945

Allowances to widows in certain cases.

77.—(1) Where an officer or servant of a mental hospital authority dies while in their service as a result of an injury which was sustained, otherwise than through his own misconduct or negligence, while discharging his duties and such officer or servant is survived by his widow, the authority (whether they have or have not made a grant in relation to such officer or servant under section 70 of this Act) may, in their discretion, but subject to the consent of the Minister and the provisions of this Part of this Act, grant to the widow such allowance for life as they consider proper.

(2) A mental hospital authority, in determining the amount of an allowance to be granted under sub-section (1) of this section to a widow, shall have regard, in particular, to any payment made or to be made by the authority in relation to any claim by the widow otherwise than under this Part of this Act in relation to the death of her husband.

(3) Where an officer or servant of a mental hospital authority, whose name is entered in the register maintained under this Part of this Act by such authority, dies while in their service as a result of any physical or mental illness which was contracted, otherwise than through his own misconduct or negligence, in the service of such authority and such officer or servant is survived by his widow, the authority (whether they have or have not made a grant in relation to such officer or servant under section 70 of this Act) may, in their discretion but subject to the consent of the Minister and the provisions of this Part of this Act, grant to the widow such allowance for life as they consider proper.

(4) A mental hospital authority by whom an allowance has been granted under this section may, subject to the consent of the Minister and the provisions of this Part of this Act, reduce, increase, cancel, or restore (where previously cancelled) such allowance in any circumstances which in their opinion render that course proper.