§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship suffered by soldiers who, although separated from their wives, maintain them, either voluntarily or by a compulsory stoppage of pay after an order by the civil court, but in respect of whose wives no family allowance is issued because of non-cohabitation prior to enlistment; and whether he will revise the regulations so that family allowance shall be admissible in the case of any soldier who discharges his obligation to provide for his wife's maintenance?
§ Captain MargessonThe object of family allowance is to assist a married soldier in maintaining his home and it is not therefore issuable where the soldier's wife has been living apart from her husband. Where, however, a soldier, although separated from his wife, contributed towards her maintenance on a voluntary basis for a substantial period before joining the colours and hardship arises because as a result of joining the Army he is unable to continue his contributions at their usual level, he may apply for the grant to his wife of dependant's allowance. Where a soldier500W has been placed under compulsory stoppages of pay in respect of a court order, a supplementary grant may be made to the wife from Army funds under the conditions set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for the English Universities on 22nd April, of which I am sending him a copy.