§ 64. Mr. GEORGE TERRELLasked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state the reason for the delay in the payment of money under an allotment made in November last of 1s. 6d. a day in favour of his three children made by Sadler F. A. 240 Clark, No. 81,519, 1st Battery Royal Field Artillery, 45th Brigade, 8th Division; and whether he will see that all arrears are forthwith settled and that the allowance in future is promptly paid?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)Application in this case was received on the 4th instant, and payment was made on the following day with arrears from 23rd October last. From inquiries that have been made, it appears that the soldier is alone responsible for the delay, as he made no application for payment of the allotment prior to that contained in a letter received by the Paymaster at Woolwich on the 4th instant, payment being made on the 5th.
§ 81. Sir JOHN DEWARasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if he is aware that Private Hugh Watt, Highland Light Infantry, enlisted on the understanding that his foster-mother, Mrs. Annie Watt, 242, High Street, Perth, who was entirely dependent on him, should be able to draw a dependant's allowance; if he is aware that the Perth pensions committee passed a dependency allowance of 12s. 6d. a week; if he is aware that the Army Pay Office has held up a decision on this subject, and that, as Mrs. Watt refuses to take any allowance from a charitable source, the only income she has is the allotment of 3s. 6d. per week from Private Hugh Watt; and if he will see that a decision in this and similar cases is arrived at with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. BAKERThe case quoted by the hon. Member has not hitherto been regarded as carrying a right to a dependant's allowance, but it would fall within the definition of dependence proposed by the Select Committee on Pensions and Grants.
§ Sir J. DEWARWill arrears also be taken into consideration?
§ 82. Mr. CROOKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he would state what arrangements are made, if any, to continue the allotments to the wives of officers who have been promoted from the ranks and who previously received allotment, having been on the strength of the officer's regiment; and, if not so allowed now, will he arrange for the allowance to continue unless the officer expresses a desire otherwise?
§ Mr. BAKERIt has been arranged that the weekly amount previously issued by the paymaster shall be continued from the officer's pay to the family or other dependants by the regimental agents of the officer until he makes other arrangements.