HC Deb 01 March 1917 vol 90 cc2147-8
86. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to grant through the Civil Liabilities Committee a maintenance allowance to the wives of married junior officers although these officers are already eligible for assistance in regard to obligations such as rent, rates, etc.; and on what grounds it has been decided not to grant a maintenance allowance to the dependent parents of unmarried junior officers?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

It is proposed that the new maintenance allowance should be given only in cases where there are children in the family. This particular allowance therefore will not be available either for parents or for wives unless there are children to be supported. Grants may, however, as I have previously explained, be given wherever there is serious hardship in respect of the other obligations to which the scheme applies, whether the officer is married or unmarried, and whether it is for a wife or for a dependent parent that the home is being kept up.

Mr. SCOTT

May I ask if that answer means that no allowance whatever is to be given to the invalid wife of an officer who is incapable of supporting herself?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

No proposal of that kind is at present made.

Mr. SCOTT

Is it being considered?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

We are ready to consider any suggestion that may be made for improving the general conditions with regard to pensions and allowances both of our Army and Navy?

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if a date has been fixed for making application with regard to these allowances to officers; has it been fixed by the Treasury?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

Tie proposals are still with the Treasury.

General IVOR PHILLIPS

Who is opposing this grant to the wives of junior officers?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I do not think anybody is opposing it. After all, the Treasury is very hard worked, and we are expecting every day to receive a reply.

General IVOR PHILLIPS

Is the Army Council supporting or opposing it?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

You may take it that the Army Council is supporting it.

Sir H. CRAIK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Statutory Committee is daily receiving particulars of the-great hardship caused in those cases?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

So am I.

Mr. SCOTT

Who is opposing the grant to invalid wives and infirm mothers?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

Nobody is opposing it, it has not yet been made.