§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the diminution, and in many cases cessation, of the public subscriptions throughout the country for the support of the wives and children of Reservists and Militia whose service in South Africa has been so unexpectedly prolonged, and in view of the cases of distress that are arising, the Government will raise the amount of separation allowance to such wives and families.
§ MR. SEELY (Lincoln)I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the funds for the assistance of the wives of Reservists are being rapidly exhausted, and that unless some extra money in addition to the separation and allotment allowances is given the homes of these men will in many cases have to be broken up, after having been kept together for eighteen months; and whether he would consider the granting of some further assistance to avoid this result.
§ MR. BRODRICKI fear that the prolongation of the war has caused a heavy strain on some of the local funds. The War Office is at present paying separation allowance at the increased rate of from 1s. 1d. to 2s. 3d. per day to some 30,000 wives of Reservists and Militiamen, besides allowances to children, and it would be a very serious matter to increase the charge. I trust that the assistance which has been given 407 from private funds in cases where it is needed will not have to be abandoned before it is possible for us to release the Reservists from service.