§ 16. Colonel WARDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to expedite the payment of separation allowances to dependants of soldiers serving with the Colours; whether he is aware that in some cases dependants of men who joined the Colours as far back as September last have so far received no allowance, although the men's pay has been stopped from that month for the purpose; and whether this hardship is partly due to the insufficiency of the staff whose duty it is to arrange for these payments?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)All possible steps have been, and are, taken to expedite these payments, and there is no limit to the staff of the pay offices necessary for this purpose. If the hon. Member is aware of any actual cases of undue delay, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me, giving the necessary particulars for inquiry to be made. I think my hon. and gallant Friend must be misinformed as to the stoppages made in September, as the scheme did not take effect till October.
§ 25. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether by a Special Army Order men married after 1163 enlistment were put on the same footing with respect to payments as those married before enlistment; whether he is aware that in the case of the men in the Army Pay Corps the separation allowance in respect of recent marriages, after being paid for a few weeks, was stopped; and will he state on what grounds the men of the Army Pay Corps receive in this matter different treatment from other soldiers?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases which he has in mind I will have inquiries made. He doubtless understands that the allowance is only given when, owing to the exigencies of the service, men are separated from their families.