§ 31. Colonel L. WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the recent increases of pay and allowances to the Army, he will now bring forward such amendments to Section 145 of the Army Act as will enable an adequate sum to be compulsorily deducted for the support of deserted wives and illegitimate children?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ Colonel WILSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that 6d. a day is enough in these times for a wife to live on?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am asked whether or not I will bring forward an amendment of Section 145 of the Army Act, and I say the answer is in the negative.
§ Colonel WILSONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Section allows only 6d. a day to be deducted from a man's pay in order to support a wife, and is not the Government prepared to take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not prepared to bring forward amendments to that Section.