§ 39. Mr. BYRNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship being borne by soldiers' dependants owing to the increase in the cost of foodstuffs since their dependants' allowances were fixed, and if he will consider the desirability of increasing their allowances or granting a bonus to all soldiers' dependants drawing separation allowances?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the separation allowance in London is 3s. 6d. in excess of that paid in Dublin, and that the allowance is not sufficient to meet the increase of food and light in Dublin?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the hon. Member will see that is quite covered by the answer I have given.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated, on behalf of the Cabinet, that they were going to consider the increase of separation allowance, and can he say whether they are doing anything now?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere is a reference to that in the answer I have given.
§ 43. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers in this country when in hospital have so much of their pay deducted; that with the amount of their allotment they are actually going deeper into debt every day; and whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member is under the impression that a deduction from pay is general in such cases, he has been misinformed. Deduction is made only when men are in hospital under circumstances which in the discretion of the commanding officer are held to justify the deduction.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my hon. Friend aware that the 7d. which is deducted from the pay and the 6d. they have to pay for separation allowance means that the man is getting further and further into debt?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have explained to my hon. Friend before that it is within the discretion of the commanding officer to make some stoppage at a figure less than the 7d. to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. A. SMITHIs it competent for the Secretary of State for War to make it impossible for a soldier who happens to be sick and sent to hospital to leave without being in debt?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think these deductions are only made in cases where a man has to go into hospital through his own fault.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that if a soldier is wanted abroad, and temporarily reports himself at his depot, and subsequently goes into hospital he suffers this deduction?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is not so.
§ Mr. PRINGLEThere are many cases in which it has been done.
§ Mr. FORSTERIf my hon. Friend will let me have them, I will have the matter looked into
§ 91. Mr. HOGGEasked whether the Treasury have approved any scheme for increasing the separation allowance of the dependants of soldiers who joined as apprentices?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)The Treasury are in communication with the Statutory Committee on this subject.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not a fact that the Statutory Committee are awaiting the decision of the Treasury?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can quite believe it.
§ 92. Major HUNTasked whether Sir Ernest Cassel accompanied the members of the Commission which was sent out to America in September, 1915, to negotiate a loan; and, if so, whether he travelled in the same steamer with the knowledge and sanction of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. McKENNASir Ernest Cassel crossed to New York in the same ship as the members of the Commission. I knew of his journey to America. The sanction of His Majesty's Government was not required, but I fully approved of his going.