§ 86. Mr. WINGasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among soldiers and their dependants at not receiving Government allowance from the date of the soldier's allotment of 6d. per day, they having reason to believe that that is sufficient intimation owing to there being no specific instruction on Government-published literature stating that allowances are payable only from date of filling up Army Form 1,838; and will he take steps to remove the alleged grievance?
Mr. BAKERIt was clearly stated in the War Office pamphlets of October and January last that "Application should be made at once. The date when the allowance begins depends on this." I will arrange for an explicit warning on the point to be inserted in future prints of the form of application which is now handed to every man on enlistment.
§ 87. Mr. WINGasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his Department will consider the question of paying allowance from the date of the soldiers allotment when ignorant of the necessity of filling up Army Form 1,838; and will he consider the payment of arrears where such payment has been withheld until soldiers had filled in Army Form 1,838, considering that they expected that their allotment of 6d. per day was sufficient intimation of their dependants requiring Government allowance?
Mr. BAKERThese questions have been carefully considered, but I am afraid it is not practicable to make the changes suggested by my hon. Friend.