HC Deb 24 June 1915 vol 72 cc1338-40
64. Mr. WING

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if an Order has been issued to the effect that unless a soldier makes an application for dependency allowance within one month after enlistment, his dependants are debarred from any allowance at present or any future date?

Mr. FORSTER

I dealt with this question in Debate on the 21st instant, and I think the hon. Member was present on that occasion.

Mr. JONATHAN SAMUEL

I should like to ask if the hon. Gentleman is aware I that a very large number of these men are ignorant that there is such an allowance? It is very hard if the mothers are deprived in consequence.

Mr. FORSTER

As I explained on Monday, we are doing everything we can to clear off arrears and prevent arrears accruing in the future.

Mr. J. SAMUEL

That is no reply to my question, which is that, in the case of a man who is ignorant of the fact that dependants can get such allowance and he does not apply within one month, are the family to be deprived of it?

Mr. FORSTER

I know the circumstances pretty well, but I understand that matter is going to be raised on the Motion for adjournment to-night, and if my hon. Friend is present he will have an opportunity of raising the question.

Mr. HOGGE

Is my hon. Friend aware that the difficulty is due to the fact that the Special Committee of this House laid down a hard and fast rule? Cannot he approach the Prime Minister with regard to that Special Committee rule and get it altered?

Mr. FORSTER

I think my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be introducing a Bill dealing with the whole question very shortly, and I hope my hon. Friend will have an opportunity of discussing the matter on that.

65. Mr. RAFFAN

asked whether an Army Order has recently been issued to the effect that no separation allowance will be payable to the wives or other dependants of soldiers unless application is made within one month after enlistment; whether the imposition of such a time limit is an entirely new procedure; and whether, in view of the hardship involved in many cases, an opportunity will be given for the discussion of the matter in the House of Commons before the Order is made finally operative?

Mr. FORSTER

This matter was discussed in this House on 21st instant, when I explained the reasons why the Order was issued. As I said then, it will not be unreasonably or harshly applied where special cause to the contrary is shown.

67. Mr. WING

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his Department will remit to soldiers' dependants the sums of money due to them from the date the soldier made allotment, but which allowance to dependants due to them has been paid only from the date of soldiers filling up Army Form 1,838, which in many instances were several weeks apart, involving financial loss to expectant recipients, seeing that this has caused disappointment and irritation, as both soldiers and dependants were unaware of such rule and regulation?

Mr. FORSTER

I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member by my predecessor on the 19th May.

Mr. WING

Arising out of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Adjournment.