§ 73. Major NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the number of men now serving at the front who may desire to 2103 fill in personally or study the form, in order to advise the representative at home who will have charge of the matter for them, he will secure that an ample supply of regulations and forms of application for special assistance is sent to our various fronts, and arrangements made for the soldier to obtain a copy where he so desires?
§ Mr. TENNANTThis matter is being considered, with a view to the necessary steps being taken.
96. Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the relief scheme for men called up to join the Forces contains any provision covering the liability for friendly society contributions; and, if not, whether he will consider extending the provisions of the scheme so as to cover this liability?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)Yes, Sir. If a member of a friendly society is unable by reason of undertaking military service to pay his contributions to the society and is thereby in danger of forfeiting his rights to benefit, he may apply for assistance to enable him to continue his contributions. The form of application provides for an entry in respect of expenditure of this nature.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERAll obligations connected with insurance.
97. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Local Government Board, in regard to the regulations under which grants will be made to meet the civil liabilities of men serving with the Colours and in view of the fact that the Commissioner is required to satisfy himself as to the accuracy of the statements made by the applicants, whether it is proposed to establish any machinery for the investigation of the accuracy of such statements, or to utilise any existing machinery?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERIf my hon. Friend will refer to paragraph 8 of the Regulations he will see that the Commissioner may require an applicant to furnish receipts or other documentary evidence in support of the application and also to 2104 furnish a sworn declaration in support of any statement made in or in connection with the application.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the Commissioner required to conduct a further investigation as to the truth of these statements?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat will be in his own discretion.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERHe ought to have fairly extensive machinery for this purpose.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTDoes that refer to the old age pension committees? Is it proposed to use them at all?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe Commissioner can make use of any existing machinery for satisfying himself of the truth of the statements which are made.
102. Mr. BARLOWasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board how soon the forms of applications by married men serving with the forces in connection with the relief scheme will be available at the post offices; and when will the local Commissioners begin their sittings?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe forms of application will be available at most of the post offices to-morrow, and the Commissioners will enter upon their duties on Monday next.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERSoldiers abroad will be able to apply either by themselves or through their wives or friends for forms, and can send them in either by their wives or their friends to be dealt with by the Commissioners.
§ Major NEWMANIs it not the fact that the answer now given totally varies from the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for War?
§ Mr. LOUGHHas any estimate been formed of the cost which will be incurred this year under the proposal?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERNothing that is worthy to be called an estimate.