§ MR. ADDINGTONsaid, he would beg to ask the President of the Poor Law Board, Whether any provision is made by Law for the stoppage out of the pay of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Militiamen, of such sums of money as may have been expended from the Poor Rate in the relief of their wives and children when deserted by them and left chargeable to the Parish or Union where they are residing; and, if not, whether he will enter into correspondence with the Horse Guards' Authorities for the purpose of effecting an arrangement to meet the case?
§ MR. C. P. VILLIERSsaid, in reply, that there was no provision made by Law for stopping from the pay of Soldiers and Sailors any sum expended in relief for their wives and children when deserted. On the contrary, there was a provision in the Mutiny Act that no proceeding should be taken against any Soldier, either in the Line or the Militia, who might have deserted his family. With respect to Sailors, when they intended to make provision for their wives and families, they gave an allotment note of their pay to them, and on the production of that allotment note the person holding it was entitled to receive the pay, but not Poor Law Guardians or Parochial authorities. He certainly had no intention of corresponding with the authorities of the Horse Guards on the subject, because, inasmuch as there was the distinct provision that no proceeding should be commenced against any Soldiers or Sailors on account of relief to their families, they no doubt would 1823 consider it injurious to Her Majesty's service in the way of enlistment that those people should be made liable.