§ MR. CARLILEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision to make weekly payments through the Post Offices of the allowances under the Old-Age Pensions Act, he will consider the advisability of paying Army pensioners their allowances weekly also, instead of quarterly, as at present.
§ MR. HALDANEWill the hon. Member kindly refer to my reply to a similar Question put by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight Division of Hampshire on the 14th instant?
§ MR. CARLILEIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider a general extension of the principle of weekly payment, in view of the terrible temptation to intemperance arising under the present system?
§ MR. HALDANEWe have extended the system very much lately in that direction. But there is a very great difference of opinion as to whether it is desired by the men themselves.
§ MR. CARLILEBut do not boards of guardians say it would be a great benefit?
§ MR. HALDANEWell, we have enabled boards of guardians to draw the money and pay it out weekly to men who have resort to the Poor Law.
§ *MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)Is there not ample evidence at the War Office that the payment of pensions in large sums quarterly is a positive misfortune to a considerable percentage of those who receive them?
§ MR. HALDANEWe have dealt with those cases by enabling the guardians to pay the pensions out weekly where it is desired.