103. Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is now in a position to state the nature of the arrangements formulated by the Government for enabling those who have been called up or who will be called up for military service to meet their civil liabilities such as rent, rates, insurance, mortgage interest, house-purchase instalments, and school fees?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe general outlines of the Government scheme were described by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on the 25th of April, and subsequently included in the Report of the proceedings at the Secret Session. The details have now been worked out, but no material modification has been made in the scheme since the Prime Minister's announcement.
1528 The scheme will apply to men (other than officers), whether married or unmarried, who have joined the Forces on or after the 4th August, 1914, or are members of the Territorial Force.
Assistance will be given to such men in cases in which serious hardship would be caused to them on account of their inability to meet their financial obligations by reason of their undertaking military service.
The obligations in respect of which assistance, in suitable cases, may be granted are: Rent, interest and installments payable in respect of loans (including mortgages), installments for the purchase of house, business premises, furniture and the like, taxes, rates, insurance premiums, and school fees. No application will be entertained for assistance in discharging ordinary debts.
The maximum amount of assistance which will be granted in any case will not exceed £104 per annum.
Applications for assistance will be made on prescribed forms, which will be obtainable at the Post Offices.
The application must be made by the man himself, unless he is serving abroad, in which case it may be made by any person who is authorized by him or who, in the opinion of the Commissioner dealing with the application, is a proper person so to act.
The applications will be investigated locally by Commissioners, who will hear the cases in private. The Commissioner will not decide the cases. It will be his duty to satisfy himself as to the accuracy of the statements made by the applicants, and to report with recommendations to the Central Committee, by whom the grants will be awarded.
The country has been mapped out into districts corresponding, so far as practicable, with the areas of the Appeal Tribunals. Different arrangements are being made for Ireland, where there are no Appeal Tribunals. Fifty-two Commissioners have been appointed for England and Wales, and twenty for Scotland, and are ready to enter upon their duties. Additional Commissioners will be appointed if it is found that they are needed to cope with the work expeditiously.
The forms of application are being printed, and will probably be available at most of the Post Offices by the end of next week.
1529 Grants will, as a rule, be paid quarterly, and be made payable either to the applicant himself or to such person as he selects.
The grants will be subject to revision, and may be increased (subject to the maximum of £104 per annum) or reduced in accordance with any change in the circumstances of the applicant.
A White Paper containing the Regulations, together with the form of application and other particulars, is being issued, and, I hope, will be in the hands of hon. Members in the course of to-morrow.
Mr. BARLOWWith regard to the limit of £104, may I take it that that is irrespective of pay and allowances, including separation allowances?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERYes, my hon. Friend may take it that that is irrespective of separation allowance and pay.
§ Sir S. COLLINSCan this reply be circulated among Members?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe reply will be circulated in the ordinary course, and the White Paper will be available immediately.
§ Mr. G. FABERWill the Commissioners be paid?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe Commissioners will be paid.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister promised the House an opportunity of discussion when the White Paper was issued, and can he say whether the House will get that opportunity before the Paper is in the Post Offices?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat is a question which must obviously be put to the Prime Minister or whoever is acting on his behalf.
§ Mr. HOGGEMay I ask who is leading the House now? We had the assurance, and it is most important we should discuss the proposals before they come into operation.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman able to state whether solicitors are to be employed in Scotland, instead of barristers and advocates?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERSheriffs-substitutes and advocates will be appointed in Scotland.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes this apply to Territorial who were, mobilized on the outbreak of war?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERYes, it applies also to Territorial.
§ Mr. THOMASCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have considered the advisability of substituting local committees instead of expensive barristers?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat has been considered, but there are several reasons why preference has been given to barristers. It was thought that they will act much more judiciously and much more expeditiously.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere have been already eight supplementary questions.