HC Deb 10 September 1914 vol 66 cc629-31
24. Mr. FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if a separation allowance will be granted to the wives and families of the newly-formed Naval and Marine Brigades?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

I am afraid I can at present add nothing to the statement which I made yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division, to the effect that the question of granting a separation allowance to the wives of seamen is under consideration.

Mr. FALLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his letter the First Lord said that this body should have the pay and conditions of the Regular Army, and is that not going to be carried out?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Under existing law the Marines on shore will have a separation allowance. With regard to the other Naval Section or Brigade I say that the question of a separation allowance is engaging serious consideration.

Mr. FALLE

The words of the First Lord were that the pay and conditions of service will be identical with that of the Regular Forces. There can be no escape from that.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have told the hon. Gentleman how the case stands.

Sir H. CRAIK

Are we to understand that as long as the Marine is on shore there is the right for his dependants to get an allowance, but if he is taken on board ship his dependants lose that right altogether, and do not recover it until he is put on shore again?

Dr. MACNAMARA

If he is on shore away from headquarters on certain duty his wife can get an allowance. If he is afloat, he gets what is called an afloat allowance, which does not mean quite the same thing, but is an element. The whole matter is receiving careful consideration.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under present circumstances the afloat allowance exists only as long as the man is alive?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I did not suppose it was in existence when he was dead.

Mr. HAMAR GREENWOOD

Is the question of separation allowances to soldiers 'wives and pensions to soldiers' widows also under consideration?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

Dr. MACNAMARA

That is a question for the War Office.

46. Mr. LESLIE SCOTT

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would be willing to take the opinion of this House at an early date on the question whether the nation ought to make provision on a much more liberal scale than at present for the dependants of our soldiers and sailors on active service, both by way of separation allowance during absence and of pension in the event of death or incapacity resulting; whether the additional taxation ought to be graduated or otherwise arranged so as to fall chiefly on the richer classes; and whether he would propose to the House the appointment of a small representative committee to draft definite proposals and report to the House when it next meets?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone this question.

Mr. LESLIE SCOTT

If the Prime Minister is in a position to give an assurance that the matter will be dealt with in this House at an early date, I shall be glad to postpone the question.

The PRIME MINISTER

was understood to indicate assent.

Mr. LESLIE SCOTT

Then I will postpone the question.

Mr. NEEDHAM

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Department has received complaints of non-receipt of allowances by the wives of soldiers, and, if so, what steps are being taken to promptly remedy this state of affairs?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Baker)

I am aware that there has been delay in a good many cases. This has been due in part to the fact that on mobilisation we were necessarily without information as to wives married off the strength, and in part to the great influx of recruits. Arrangements were made at the beginning of the War that, pending receipt of Government allowances, the families of soldiers should have their necessities met through other channels; and all possible steps are being taken to remove delay.

70. Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether all non-commissioned officers and men married off the strength, if separated from their wives by military duties, are now entitled without exception to separation allowances?

Mr. BAKER

Yes, Sir, except in cases of misconduct, which are considered on their merits, and cases in which men have married subsequent to 13th August without permission.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Would the hon. Gentleman have that circulated amongst the commands?

Mr. BAKER

I will see if that can be done.