59. Mr. BUTLER LLOYDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that, by the Army Order 27/10/14, XVII., Section 5 (a), a dependant must give proof of actual dependence for a reasonable period prior to mobilisation, he will take the necessary steps to have the order amended so that it may cover the case of a dependant who has lost her husband since the commencement of the War and has thus become dependent on her son who is in the Army?
Mr. BAKERThis suggestion has been fully considered, but it is not proposed to depart from the basis of fact as laid down by the Select Committee.
§ 10. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will favourably consider the possibility of according the same treatment to soldiers in the Southern Nigeria regiment as to other soldiers in the matter of separation allowances, in view of the fact that the extra pay these men receive is a recognition of the exceptional climate and other privations they have customarily to undergo?
Mr. HARCOURTThe soldiers of the Nigeria regiment are natives of West Africa. I presume my hon. Friend refers to the British non-commissioned officers employed with the regiment. The pay of these non-commissioned officers is sufficient to enable them to make substantial remittances to dependent relatives in this country; and the reasons for granting separation allowances to the rank and file of the British Army during the present War are not applicable in their case.
§ 63. Mr. HOGGEasked what is the nature of the instructions sent to pension officers to guide them in assessing the dependence of the nominee of the soldier?
Mr. BAKERI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire on the 10th instant, of which I will send him a copy.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he says nothing in that reply as to the particular method and nature of the instructions? One wants to know what is the particular nature and not the general nature.
§ 64. Mr. HOGGEasked whether the limit of seven years within which application can be made for pensions, stated in. Cd. 7662, obtains in the new recommendations?
§ 65. Mr. HOGGEasked whether, under the new regulations for pensions, the same provision obtains for mentally or physically infirm children as obtained in Cd. 7662?
§ 66. Mr. HOGGEasked what is the nature of the offences for which with drawal of allowances and pensions is the possible punishment to the recipients; and whether, in the event of the mother being convicted, the allowance or pension to children will also be withdrawn?
Mr. BAKERSeparation allowance or pension may be withdrawn on clear proof of serious misconduct, such as immorality definitely established, conviction on criminal charges, gross neglect of children or persistent drinking, especially where such drinking results in the neglect of children. The allowance or pension to the children is not withdrawn.
§ Sir RYLAND ADKINSHow will such an offence have to be proved before the allowance is withdrawn?
Mr. BAKERI understand the tribunal to which this is to be referred is under consideration, and an announcement will be made later.
§ 69. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention had been drawn to the case of Mrs. Mary Williams, Abernant, the wife of G. E. Williams, 37,376, whose allowance has been stopped because it is alleged that she was not married before 13th August; whether he is aware that the date for the marriage was fixed before the young man enlisted and took place 269 on the date originally fixed; and whether, under these circumstances, he will have the matter reconsidered with a view to having the allowance restored?
Mr. BAKERMy attention has not been drawn to this particular case, but regulations removing the restriction of date are about to be issued and it will then be open to Mrs. Williams to make an application for the allowance.
§ 38 and 39. Mr. HOGGEhad given notice of the following questions to the Prime Minister (1) whether the introductory note to Cd. 7662 also covers the Special Report from the Select Committee on Pensions and Grants; and, if so, will he lay Papers before 1st March showing how the Admiralty orders and Army orders and the regulations affect allowances and pensions; and (2) whether all future Admiralty and Army orders and regulations applicable to allowances and pensions will be laid before Parliament before becoming applicable?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would ask the hon. Member to postpone these questions.
§ 40. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether the new scale of pensions becomes operative on 1st March, or any other fixed date, or whether they will date from the expiry of the twenty-six weeks' continued separation allowance now payable to widows?
Mr. BAKERGenerally speaking the new scale of pensions takes effect from expiry of the twenty-six weeks; but if that had taken place before 1st March, then from 1st March.
§ Mr. HOGGEI beg to give notice that on the Motion for the Adjournment I will raise the question of separation allowances.