HC Deb 26 February 1917 vol 90 c1681
56. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Civil Liabilities Committee will be authorised to issue a maintenance allowance in the case of the dependants of unmarried officers, many of whom have left parents wholly dependant on them in most distressed circumstances?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Unmarried junior officers who have been maintaining a home for their parents are already eligible under the Civil Liabilities scheme for assistance in respect of the obligations, including rent, rates or other obligations, to which that scheme applies, and I do not think that further provision would be justified for cases of this kind.

Mr. SCOTT

Are not officers already entitled to the same allowances in respect of their wives?

Sir H. CRAIK

Am I to understand that there is to be no separation allowance made to officers to cover maintenance, but only a contractual liability?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

Of course, it refers entirely to dependants, and not to officers.

Mr. SCOTT

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in what respect he differentiates between wives and mothers, because they are both in the same position as he described just now?