HC Deb 09 October 1940 vol 365 cc370-2
Mr. Dobbie (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet able to make any statement regarding increased rates of allowances for the families and other dependants of soldiers?

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Eden)

Yes, Sir. The existing scales of allowances to the families and other dependants of men in the Fighting Services have been under very careful review, more particularly in view of the increase in the cost of living in recent months. I am now able to announce that a general increase will be made in the rates of allowance in issue to the families and dependants of men in the three Fighting Services, with effect from the first payment in the month of November next. These increased rates are designed primarily to assist the family with children; the increase is 1s. in the case of the wife, 1s. 6d. for each of the first two children, 2s. for the third child in order to correct an existing anomaly in the rates, and 1s. for each other child in the family. A similar general increase of 1s. is being made in the rates of ordinary dependants' allowance, and the income limits governing awards of dependants' allowance are being raised similarly. I am circulating details of the new rates of allowances in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Lunn

Will a firm now making a small allowance to men in the Services be justified in reducing that allowance when these increases are made for the increased cost of living?

Mr. Eden

I, personally, hope that that will not take place.

Mr. Thorne

Will the Minister take into consideration the advisability of advising local authorities that these increases shall not be taken into consideration?

Mr. Eden

I am not sure whether that is a matter for my Department, but I will look into it.

Following are the new rates of allowances:

(1) Family Allowance:

(a) For the wife of a warrant officer, Class I, 24s. 6d. a week.

For the wife of a warrant officer, Class II, 21s. a week.

For the wife of a staff serjeant, etc., 20s. 6d. a week.

For the wife of a serjcant or lower rank, 18s. a week.

(b) For children:

One child, 7s. 6d. a week.

Two children, 13s. a week.

Each additional child, 4s. a week.

(2) Dependants' allowance:

If the average net weekly contribution by the soldier towards the support of the dependant before joining the colours:

Exceeded 9s. but did not exceed 15s., 13s. a Week.*

Exceeded 15s. but did not exceed 20s., 18s. a week.*

Exceeded 20s. (except as below), 21s. 6d. a week.*

Was not less than 24s. in the case of a person entirely dependent on the soldier and living alone or as a member of a household having no other income, 25s. a week.*

*Rates of allowance (including contributory allotment of pay).

It has also been decided to raise the income limits for awards of ordinary dependants' allowance from 15s. and 18s. 6d. to 16s. and 20s., respectively, per member of the household, and, in the case of a dependant living alone, from 23s. 6d. to 25s. The existing provision for automatic annual variation of a portion of the family allowance with reference to the index figure for the cost of living will be abolished.