§ 125. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether, in the event of the enlistment of a son in the Army at a period when his parents were not dependent upon him, and in the further event of the father being killed, the son can then claim and obtain a dependant's allowance for his mother, provided she then becomes, by her husband's death, dependent upon him; and, if not, whether he will cause the regulations to be amended in this direction?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The War Office was not empowered to take into consideration changes in the dependants circumstances, whether for good or' bad, which have occurred since the soldier's enlistment. My hon. Friend will remember that this question was fully considered by the Select Committee of this House. I think that these exceptional cases come within the province of the Statutory Committee.
§ 126. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men who have fought through the whole of the War, from Mons to Gallipoli, and been promoted sergeant for gallantry on the field, have, when subsequently invalided home, been compelled to revert to the position of lance-corporal; whether he is aware that some of these men have been made acting-sergeant at home with only lance-corporal's pay and separation allowance; and whether he will look into and cause this injustice to be remedied?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf this has been done it is not in accordance with the instructions of the Army Council, and the cases will be inquired into if the names and regiments of the men concerned are furnished.