§ 17. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the way that the police are acting in connection with the Socialist meetings that are being held outside Forest Gate Station, East; if he is aware that the speakers on Sunday, 31st August, at 9 p.m. were hustled by the police and that the police-sergeant, who was on a bicycle, advised the people to put the speakers in the horse trough close by because they were protesting against the way the recruits were being fed and housed, and the small pay that was being allowed for separation allowance; if he is aware that one of the speakers is now lying in Moor-fields Hospital with severe injuries to his eyes; and if he will take steps to remind the police of their proper duties at public meetings?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am having inquiry made in the matter, but owing to the shortness of the notice given I am not at present in a position to say anything with regard to it.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members on both sides of the House have been doing what those people have been doing, and whether he will not endeavour to prevent 933 the police breaking up such meetings, because all of us are absolutely dissatisfied with the pay allowed to the wives and children?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can only assure the hon. Gentleman that as soon as I make inquiries and inform myself on the matters I shall be quite willing to give a full answer.
26. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recruits joining the Army must produce marriage and birth certificates in order to secure the payment of their separation allowances, and that in many case" the payment of the official fees for such certificates causes hardship; and whether he can arrange that these certificates will be provided free?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)No, Sir. The instructions are that payment of separation allowance is to be made without verification of the particulars furnished by the man. Arrangements exist for the subsequent verification of the particulars without cost.
§ 39. Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the scale of separation allowance to the families and dependants of soldiers has been reconsidered; and whether he can state the results of such reconsideration?
§ Mr. BAKERThe Prime Minister has promised to make a statement on this subject before the end of the Session.
§ Sir IVOR HERBERTAm I to understand that we shall have that statement before the Adjournment?