HC Deb 18 February 1915 vol 69 cc1296-8
43. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister if he can say when the full Report of the Pensions Committee will be ready; and whether, if it is not possible to lay it soon, an early opportunity will be given to discuss the separation allowances which are to come into operation on 1st March?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

I am informed that it is hoped that the final Report will be ready shortly I am not aware of any general desire to discuss the pensions and allowances which come into force on 1st March, but, if there is, I will endeavour to make arrangements to meet it.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many points which are not met by the interim Report in regard to separation allowances, and does he also recollect that this was a Committee of the House of Commons, and that surely we ought to have an opportunity of discussing the Report before it becomes law?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have no responsibility for the proceedings of the Committee. It is a Committee of the House; but I have said that if there is a general disposition to discuss the Report I will see what can be done to meet it.

44. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the hardship imposed upon young married couples who are unable to draw separation allowance owing to the date of their marriage, the Government will consider whether the allowance lost to them can be made up by a larger payment over as many weeks as is necessary to put them on an equality with those who have been drawing separation allowance all the time?

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

Effect will be given to the new conditions of this grant with arrears from a date to be announced shortly.

54. Mr. W. THORNE

asked whether the widows of soldiers killed on active service are entitled to separation allowance in respect of posthumous children?

Mr. BAKER

Separation allowance is issuable for posthumous children up to the expiry of twenty-six weeks from the notification of the soldier's death, when pension begins.

55. Mr. WHELER

asked whether the wives and families of the non-commissioned officers and men of the British regiments brought from India, now serving in France or Belgium, are being brought home to England; and whether they are receiving separation allowances on the same scale as those granted to the wives and children of non-commissioned officers and men now resident in Great Britain?

Mr. BAKER

Yes, Sir.

64. Mr. HOGGE

asked whether separation allowances are paid for the adopted children of soldiers?

Mr. BAKER

Adopted children are covered by the recommendations of the Select Committee.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the adopted child of an unmarried soldier gets the separation allowance, and the adopted child of a married soldier does not get the allowance?

Mr. BAKER

Because in the first case it is a dependant.

67. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked whether the dependants of an unmarried soldier who died of wounds before the announcement of allowances to such dependants are entitled to apply for an allowance for the period of twenty-six weeks after his death, and afterwards for a pension?

Mr. BAKER

Issues of separation allowance to dependants are not made in cases where the soldier's death occurred before the scheme came into existence. The grant of pensions to dependants is, as my hon. Friend is aware, reserved by the Select Committee fo ra further report.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

In the meantime, does the answer mean that the dependants of all those soldiers who were the first to go out, and who had the misfortune to be killed during the first two or three months, are deprived of all pension or allowance?

Mr. BAKER

I imagine that the Select Committee will report very soon, and a scheme of pensions will then come into force.

69. Mr. MORRELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of soldiers on active service who are not married and have no parents living, the Government allowance will be paid to the aunt or other near relatives with whom they were living and to whose household expenses they were contributing before their enlistment; and, if so, whether he will ascertain ascertain why no allowance has yet been paid to Mrs. Eliza Longworth, of 202, Padiham Road, Burnley, in respect of her nephews, Private A. Christie and Private J. Christie, 1723 and 1724, of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who left her under these conditions to go on active service?

Mr. BAKER

The case is covered by the recommendations of the Select Committee, and will now be dealt with under them.

Mr. MORRELL

Will not the War Office deal with the case at once?

Mr. BAKER

I imagine that the Select Committee will name a date in their Report.