§ MAJOR NOLANasked the Secretary of State for War, What is the amount paid to or for each of the wives and children of the men of the Army and Militia Reserves lately summoned to the Colours; whether any complaints have been addressed to him regarding the insufficiency of the provision made for the maintenance of such wives and children; and, further, if he proposes to make any permanent or temporary addition to these separation allowances?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, in answering the Question of the hon. and gallant Member for Galway (Major Nolan), perhaps the hon. and gallant Member for Sunderland (Sir Henry Havelock) will allow me to answer his Question at the same time. The amount paid for each of the wives and children of the men of the Army and Militia Reserves is at the rate of 6d. for each woman and 2d. per day for each child under 14 years of age. No complaints have reached me, officially or otherwise, with regard to the insufficiency of the provision made for the maintenance of such wives and children; although it is fair to say that reports have been received from individual members of Boards of Guardians calling attention to the subject, and saying that the question had been brought under their consideration. I have ordered a Return as to the number of women and children concerned. This Return has not yet come in, and, therefore, perhaps the hon. and gallant Member for Galway will repeat his Question to me on Monday. An order has gone out to alter the mode of payment. Payments, instead of being made monthly in arrear, as heretofore, will, for the future, be paid monthly in advance.