HC Deb 19 July 1915 vol 73 cc1152-5
21. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to grant separation allowances to the wives of chief warrant officers, in view of the fact that these wives belong to the same class as warrant officers' wives who have received the concession?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

These officers hold commissions and rank with second lieutenants in the Army. Separation allowance is not an allowance applicable to commissioned officers, and I cannot hold out hope of any further extension of the concession.

63. Mr. BOWERMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of the widow and six children (four totally dependent) of the late Driver J. Woolley, 91,907, Royal Field Artillery, whose death was reported on the 22nd of February last, and whose widow has been informed that as the accident which led to her husband's death was not sustained in the performance of military duty she is not eligible for a pension from Army funds; whether he is aware that it has been claimed that the deceased soldier met his death when crossing a bridge with his gun; whether he is aware that Mrs. Woolley has been informed that the separation allowance and allotment of pay will continue to be paid temporarily; and whether he will consider the possibility of granting his widow a permanent allowance?

Mr. TENNANT

I am not aware that it has been claimed that this man met his death when crossing a bridge with his gun. The facts as officially reported show clearly that he was not on duty at the time of his death and was accidentally drowned. Under these circumstances his widow is not entitled to a pension from Army funds.

Mr. BOWERMAN

Is it proposed to continue the allowance?

Mr. TENNANT

I am not aware, but if my hon. Friend will put down another question to the Financial Secretary no doubt he will get an answer.

Mr. BOWERMAN

The letter was sent on the 6th of this month, and there was no reply: hence the question on the Paper. Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry?

Mr. TENNANT

I was not aware of that fact. I hope my hon. Friend will forgive the delay.

65. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the London District Order, No. 115, stating that non-commissioned officers will draw pay according to their rank from and including 29th May, 1915, has been so interpreted by the command paymaster of the London District that it does not affect the Territorial Force, and that the noncommissioned officers of that Force will cease to draw the pay of their appointment from 29th May, 1915; why was the differentiation made; is he aware that this interpretation is causing dissatisfaction among the non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force, many of whom have been at the front, returned home wounded, and are now engaged in recruiting work; and whether, having regard to these facts, steps will be taken to annul the interpretation given and restore the rate of pay that obtained prior to the issue of such interpretation?

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

I think my hon. Friend must have inadvertently misquoted the number of the London District Order. Perhaps he would communicate with me on the subject.

Mr. O'GRADY

Has the hon. Gentleman any particulars regarding the cases of lance-corporals and lance-sergeants in the Territorial Force?

Mr. FORSTER

No, Sir, I have no particulars.

67. Mr. KEATING

asked the reasons for non-payment of the usual dependant's allowance to Mrs. Catherine Fewer, Aglish, Carrigeen, county Kilkenny, in respect of her son, Gunner Patrick Fewer, No. 75,932, of the 24th Battery Royal Field Artillery, who has been on active service since September last?

Mr. FORSTER

Mrs. Fewer was found not to have been dependent on her son before the outbreak of war, he being then already a soldier, and therefore was not entitled to any allowance from Government.

90. Colonel YATE

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now state when the new scale of pensions to widows of officers will be issued?

Mr. FORSTER

I hope that the Select Committee will report on this at a very early date.

Colonel YATE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give no date at all?

Mr. FORSTER

No, Sir, I am not a member of the Select Committee.

93. Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army Order of 31st May to the effect that soldiers must make application for separation allowances within one calendar month of enlistment is now in force; whether he is aware that the shortness of the notice given is resulting in many soldiers, being unaware of the order before it came into operation; and whether, in view of the varying circumstances connected with the families of soldiers, he will either have the order withdrawn or extend the period wherein a soldier may make application?

Mr. FORSTER

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the Leigh Division of Lancashire on the 24th June last, to which I have nothing to add.