§ 21. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the average soldier's wife, who is solely dependent on the soldier's allotment and the Army allowance, receives substantially less than the husband for personal expenditure and that the total income for herself and family frequently does not permit the same standard of nourishment as that enjoyed by the soldier; whether, in view of this fact and the rise in the cost of living, he is now able to announce an increase in the scale of allowances; and whether, in particular, he will issue an additional allowance to dependants injured by enemy action?
§ Mr. EdenAs I stated in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 13th August, the whole position in connection with family allowance is now under review. With regard to the last part of the Question, compensation for injury by enemy action will be paid to those dependants who may be eligible under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, 1940, administered by my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman expedite this inquiry into the question of allowances, especially as many prices have now risen and there is increasing anxiety among many of the dependants?
§ Mr. EdenI know there is some anxiety, but perhaps the answer which I have given may go some way towards allaying it.