§ 58. Mr. WINGasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new scale of allowances to soldiers' dependants comes into operation on 1st November; if so, is he aware of the disappointment at the delay; and if he will bring the scale into operation at a much earlier date?
§ 59. Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider his decision that the new scale of separation allowances should begin in October instead of immediately, so as to diminish the continued hardship of the present scale?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe new scale dates from 1st October. I am afraid I can add nothing to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Debate last night.
§ Mr. WINGDoes that mean that they will be paid on the 1st October or that they will be paid as from the 1st October?
§ Mr. FORSTERThey will be payable as from the 1st October. I do not think my hon. Friend realises the enormous difficulty of bringing a very large number of allowances into course of payment, but every effort will be made to make the payment as soon as possible.
§ 21. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why a 1113 soldier without children, who is living apart from his wife, receives 11s. 1d. for pay and 22s. 2d. for ration and other allowances, making, with the wife's separation allowance of 12s. 6d., £2 5s. 9d. per week for the maintenance of himself and his wife, while a soldier without children who is living with his wife receives 11s. 1d. for pay and only 21s. 6d. family allowance, making £1 2s. 7d. for the maintenance of himself and his wife; and whether the whole question of family allowances will be reconsidered?
§ 24. Captain BARNETTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to state if the consolidated family allowance payable in the case of married men living at home is in effect separation allowance, plus 7s. per week for the keep of the soldier; whether the increase of this family allowance, which was under consideration on 21st February and 12th June, is still under consideration; and whether such increase, if and when granted, will be made retrospective, so as to compensate so far as possible for the hardship which many soldiers have been suffering for months past owing to the enhanced cost of living?
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot understand the figures contained in question No. 21, but my hon Friends will be glad to know that it has been decided to make an increase in the rate of family allowance. I think the increase will satisfy my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Mr. FORSTERYes; I think it will.
§ 26. Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the pension awarded to Mrs. Bridget M'Enerney, Queen Street, Enniskillen, in respect of her late son, Private Patrick Joseph M'Enerney, No. 70300, Machine Gun Corps, has been discontinued, although she is in extremely poor circumstances; and will he take steps to have her case reconsidered?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)The original documents in this case were destroyed in the fire at the Dublin Pay Office, and as there appeared to be some doubt as to whether Mrs. M'Enerney had really been dependent on her son before mobilisation, the 1114 question was referred to the Special Grants Committee, who decided that she had not been so dependent. Payment therefore ceased. The case, however, will be considered for parents' special pension, in view of the statement that Mrs. M'Enerney is in poor circumstances, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYThis poor woman lost her son, and I am sure the House will consider she should be compensated for her loss.
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI have said the circumstances were doubtful as to whether there was dependence, and it was decided against her. But if she is in poor circumstances, even without dependents, a special pension may be given, and that is now being considered.
§ 25. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will make inquiry into the reasons for the delay in granting separation allowance to the father of Gunner W. Pickering, No. 247746, Royal Field Artillery?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will make inquiry into the case, and inform the hon. Member of the result.
§ 27. Mr. HACKETTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Gunner C. Gill, Royal Field Artillery, British Expeditionary Force, France, allowed his mother 8s. per week, and was provided with food and clothes by his employer, and that for the past two years since his enlistment Mrs. Gill has been in receipt of only 3s. per week allowance; and whether he will state the reasons which prevent Mrs. Gill from receiving a larger allowance?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will inquire into this case, and inform the hon. Member of the result.
§ 29. Mr. STEWARTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has now made further inquiries into the case of the late Private Ledsom, of Heswall, Cheshire; and whether he can see his way to consider favourably that an allowance be granted to Private Ledsom's mother?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend has no doubt now received my letter of 3rd August about this case?