§ 50. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to state the increases in separation allowances for wives, dependants, and the dependants of apprentices?
§ 65. Mr. ADAMSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state the result of the inquiry into the present scale of separation allowances and the demand for an increase?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer the hon. Members to the statement circulated yesterday.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say why, when it is admitted by the War Cabinet to increase the separation allowances, a statement was published outside the House that no addition at all is made to the separation allowance for wives; will he say, further, why the Government promised to give this answer on Thursday, and the answer postpones all the payments until 1st November, i.e., over the Recess?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo such promise was made by the Government except that the subject would be considered. That has been done, and the result was contained in the answer I gave yesterday. As to the merits of the proposals, they can be discussed, I think, on the Vote of Credit.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member knows as well as I do that it does not depend on me.
Sir F. HALLHas any provision been made in this new scheme for the difference of 7s. 7d. a week payable to the men in receipt of the family allowance and those who are in receipt of the ordinary separation allowance; and, if no provision has been made, whether steps will be taken to remedy the difference between the two 2001 and bring the family allowance at least up to the same basis as the separation allowance?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt really is not possible to deal with that in question and answer. I think it would be very suitable to discuss that on the Vote of Credit.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have said it can be discussed on the Vote of Credit, and I have no doubt the matter can be arranged.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of bringing out in simple tabulated form the various allowances to wives, children, and dependants of soldiers who are serving?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI thought it was.
§ 75 and 76. Mr. WINGasked the Pensions Minister (1) if he is aware, in settling pensions on the principle of prewar dependence, of the disparity that arises between the pensions granted to the dependants of soldiers killed, notably parents, of those who enlisted in 1914–15 and the parents of those enlisting in 1916–17; will he take steps to remedy the difference, bearing in mind that the first-named were volunteers; (2) if, in the granting of pensions to the dependants of soldiers who are killed, especially parents whose sons were apprentices, students, or at early enlistment in low-paid positions on account of learning a trade or profession, he will take into consideration the prospective income of such, with a view to granting pensions more in harmony with the sacrifice made than under present circumstances are being granted?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)The principle of dependence is, as the hon. Gentleman is doubtless aware, only one of those governing the grant of pensions to parents, the more important one being that no parent who has lost a son in the War shall be in want from the absence of support from that son. Apart from this, the principal of a flat rate separation allowance to parents announced by the Prime Minister last night will have an application to pensions and will do much to remedy the difference of treatment referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. WINGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he makes no promise of revision, and will he try to influence the Ministry of which he is a part to see that these very grave inequalities are remedied?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI have already said that the application of the principle of separation allowances announced last night by the Prime Minister will go a long way to remedy that. I am not in a position to give details at present as to how it is to be applied.
§ 77. Mr. MACMASTERasked the Pensions Minister if he will see that the short and concise statement to the right of soldiers and sailors to pensions and of their dependants to allowances under the new Warrant is published in convenient pamphlet form before the Adjournment, and that copies are left for distribution to all interested, at the House of Commons, at the main naval and military stations, and at all post offices in the United Kingdom?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe pamphlet entitled "Soldiers' Pensions" is intended primarily for the use of disabled men and their dependants. A copy is given to each disabled man on his discharge from hospital, and I am now arranging for a copy to be enclosed with the ring-paper issued to every widow or other dependant. A distribution to the general public will also be made through the Government Information Bureau. I will arrange for copies to be delivered to the Vote Office for supply to Members of the House before the Adjournment.