§ 39. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why no Government allowance has been paid to the mother of Able Seaman J. Samuel Howarth, No. 23811, who joined the Navy two years ago, and who made an allotment of 5s. a week out of his pay; and if steps will be taken at once to see that the mother receives the sum to which she is entitled, with all arrears?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Howarth joined the Royal Navy in February, 1917, and in May, 1917, made a claim to separation allowance for his mother, which was duly investigated. There was considerable correspondence in connection with the case, in the course of which Mrs. Howarth stated that her son was a merchant seaman employed by Messrs. Lamport and Holt, and that all the money which she received from him was sent through the firm. Exhaustive inquiry was made, and it was found that only one remittance was made, a sum of £5 being sent nearly a year before the man joined the Navy. This could not be regarded as evidence of regular dependence, and no allowance could therefore be paid. If, however, my hon. Friend can furnish me with any further facts in proof of pre- 1776 entry dependence, I will have the matter further considered. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a new allowance—parents' allowance—has recently been instituted to meet cases of this description. On the 26th October Mrs. Howarth was instructed as to the manner of applying for such allowance, but her claim has not yet been received.