§ 7. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases he has withheld the family allowance of 7s. 6d. a day from an officer because the family resides outside the sterling area; and how many of these officers have accepted his offer to pay them, without interest, after the war an allowance of 3s. for each day of such residence, subject to deduction of an allotment of two-sevenths of his entire pay?
§ Captain MargessonThe rate of family lodging allowance varies under the old scheme, according to the age and rank 984 of the officer and, under the new scheme, according to the size of the family. The total number of cases since the beginning of the war in which family lodging allowance has been withheld, on the ground that the family is living outside the sterling area, is 337. The number at present so withheld is 173. Sixty-three applications have been made for special separation grants.
§ Mr. KeelingHas my right hon. and gallant Friend seen the many letters in the "Daily Telegraph" on the subject, and will he be good enough to ask for a reconsideration of the question of allowances?
§ Captain MargessonI have seen the correspondence and I am aware that a good deal of interest is taken in this question.