54. Mr. DUNCANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Treasury has issued an Order reducing the sick pay of discharged soldiers who rejoin their departments and fall ill within a month of resuming duty in cases where the sick leave is due to the cause which invalided the man from the Army; whether he is aware that the men claim that this is an infringement of their conditions of service, and are supported in their contention by legal opinion; and whether, as the Treasury cannot be sued by a Civil servant, he will consent on behalf of His Majesty's Government to submit the matter to legal arbitrators?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I was not aware of the circumstances mentioned in the second part of the question, but if the hon. Member can arrange for the case and opinion referred to to be forwarded to me, I shall be glad to have it examined.
§ 71. Captain BARNETTasked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider the desirability of granting an increased separaton allowance to childless wives who produce a certificate proving inability to go out to work?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)The need for an increased separation allowance in these cases is already met by a provision in Part II. Regulations of the Special Grants Committee Regulation 7 (1) (d) enables a supplementary separation allowance to be granted up to the amount of 4s. to a childless wife who is physically unfit or unable for other reasons to obtain employment, provided that her present income is insufficient to maintain her in a standard of comfort which is reasonable having regard to the standard of comfort of the home at the date of the man's enlistment. Application for this allowance should be made to the war pensions committee for 1540 the district in which the applicant resides. In addition to this, a childless wife is entitled, if she is ill, to get a sickness grant amounting to 10s. a week; also, in certain cases, there is a grant for rent, which can amount to as much as 8s. a week.
§ Mr. SNOWDENSeeing that the hon. Gentleman has said that a childless wife in certain circumstances is entitled to certain grants, may I ask if it is obligatory upon these local war pensions committees to make these supplementary grants, where evidence proves the inability of the woman to go out to work, or is it at their discretion?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIt is at their discretion, having regard to the circumstances. They investigate, and if they were not doing their duty they would be reported, and steps would be taken to see that they did do their duty.
§ Mr. SNOWDENHas the Minister of Pensions power to compel a local war pensions committee to make grants when they refuse to do so in a desirable case?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENNo; I do not think we have, but we are bringing in a Bill which, we hope, will largely increase our power over local war pensions committees.
§ Captain BARNETTDoes he consider a 4s. grant is adequate if a woman is unable to go out to work—not really ill, but unfit for work, or is over age?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENBut my hon. Friend must take into consideration the other point I have mentioned, namely, that she can get a rent allowance and sickness grant if she is ill.