§ 49. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Government of the Australian Commonwealth to pay separation allowances to the wives resident in this country of Australian soldiers; whether he is aware that many of these women are the wives of men who shortly before the War emigrated to Australia and were induced by the Australian emigration authorities to leave their families to follow later; and, in view of the fact that these men have returned to fight for the Mother Country, will he take steps to ensure that their wives do not have to seek charity, as is now in many instances the case?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)No such instances of hardship have been brought to my notice, but if the hon. Member will communicate specific details of cases, they will be referred to the Government of the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITECan the British Government take no action itself, seeing that the Commonwealth Government has refused to recognise the claims of these men?
§ Mr. HEWINSI should like the hon. Member to give me his specific cases if he docs not mind.