54. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a soldier who can prove to the satisfaction of the authorities that he supported his mother prior to enlistment, but who, whether through negligence or through some relative supporting his mother, omitted to apply for a dependant's allowance for her till after December, 1915, is now prohibited from applying for an allowance?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe rule referred to by the hon. Member is not interpreted harshly, and many cases are favourably considered in which, owing to a genuine misunderstanding or some exceptional circumstances, the soldier omitted to claim separation allowance within the time prescribed in Regulations.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIf the soldier can show to the satisfaction of the military authorities that his parent was, as a matter of fact, dependent upon him, although he 315 has delayed making application for the allowance, will he receive the allowance in that case?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, I think in that case we should certainly allow the claim.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTThe question which I asked was, if the soldier can show to the satisfaction of the military authorities that his parent was dependent on him as a matter of fact before he enlisted, will they then grant the allowance, even although he delayed making an application?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, I think so—certainly.
§ Mr. CURRIEIn that case, will the allowance be retrospective, or is the hon. Gentleman only referring to the future?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think it will have to date from the time when the application was made.
55. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether a time-expired man who, before the passing of the second Military Service Act, voluntarily reenlisted for another term of service is penalised as compared with a new recruit by being prohibited from applying for a separation allowance for his dependants, if he had not already done so, even if he can prove prewar dependence?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member will furnish particulars of time-expired men who voluntarily reenlisted and who are desirous of claiming separation allowance for their dependants, the cases will be specially considered on their merits. It is not the intention that they should be penalised.