§ 34. Mr. ADAMSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, as complementary to the new Royal Warrant for pensions, he will favourably consider making representations to the Treasury for an increase in the scale of separation allowances to the wives and children of men in the Royal Navy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As my right hon. Friend is no doubt aware, increases have been made in the rates since separation allowance was instituted for the Navy. A recent change was that decided upon by the Cabinet in 1398 October last, when a complementary allowance such as my right hon. Friend refers to was granted in the form of an allotment concession, that is to say, a portion of the allotment is now paid from Government funds, instead of teeing charged against the sailor's pay. Further, as the answer to the next question will show, endeavour has been made to increase the income of the wives or other dependants of the lowest ratings.
§ 35. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state the decision of the Government with reference to the equalisation of the separation allowances for men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines with those for the men of the Army?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe decision of His Majesty's Government shortly is that i£ an ordinary or able seaman, a private of Marines or any equivalent rating or rank allots to his wife or other dependant the amount by which his wages exceed 10s. 6d. a week when they are more than 12s. a week, or if he allots not less than 1s. 6d. when they are 12s. a week or less, the Admiralty shall make good, by the grant of a supplementary separation allowance, any deficiency in the Navy allowance and allotment as compared with the payments that would be received if the man were a private in the Army. The scheme took effect from 16th May, and the supplementary allowances will be paid by the Admiralty, not by the local war pensions committees.