HC Deb 19 December 1946 vol 431 cc444-5W
Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mrs. Halliday, wife of a soldier, has been refused Army allowance because her husband is under 21 years of age; that she has been refused further help from the Assistance Board; and what action he proposes to take to assist Mrs. Halliday in maintaining her two young children.

Mr. Bellenger

I cannot trace cases relating to soldiers' allowances in the absence of the soldier's military particulars, but I understand that the Mrs. Halliday who wrote to my hon. Friend is in fact continuing to receive payments from the Assistance Board until some grant is made. A soldier who is not eligible for marriage allowance may apply for a War Service Grant from the Ministry of Pensions, through his Commanding Officer. I would refer my hon. Friend for details to the reply I gave on 19th November to several hon. Members of which I am sending him a copy

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is ware that Mr. Robert Langham, 49 Higher House Close, Chadderton, has been refused a service pension although he has completed over 19 years embodied Regular service with the Colours; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Bellenger

Mr. Langham is ineligible for service retired pay. He was not serving on a Regular engagement when he was commissioned, and therefore is not eligible for the special retired pay terms designed for Regular other ranks granted Emergency Commissions. His total service is, of course, less than that normally expected even of a permanent Regular officer in return for retired pay, or of a Regular soldier in return for a life pension.

Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his inquiries into the complaints made by Sergeant D. K. Parker, Gurnard Hotel, Gurnard, near Cowes, Isle of Wight, the details of which were sent to him on 29th October by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, arc yet complete; whether he will take steps to have Sergeant Parker's clothing and food ration books returned to him by Records Office of the Pioneer Corps; and whether he will give an assurance that the conditions prevailing at the camp in question are such as will not discourage voluntary recruits from enlisting.

Mr. Bellenger

Mr. Parker's clothing and food ration books had been returned to the Ministry of Food so that they could not be reissued to him, but he has the documents necessary to obtain new ones. With regard to his other complaints, he was refused breakfast in the Sergeant's Mess on the morning he left only because none is served after 8.30 a.m. and he came in for it only just before 9 o'clock. The charge against him was quashed as soon as it was realised that he was not yet subject to military law, but he did not explain this point either to his Company Commander or to his Commanding Officer I have called for certain information about this matter and I will take any action that may be required.