§ 11. Mr. GILBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Civil Liabilities Committee is reducing its grants in aid of pre-war or pre-enlistment obligations upon the ground of the increased income of the soldier in respect of whom his grant was made, although the increased income is solely due to the increased pay recently conceded and his Government payment of required allotments; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Walsh)I have been asked to answer this question. It is not the practice of the Civil Liabilities Committee to reduce any grants they have made either on account of the general increase of soldiers' pay or on account of the Government having decided to pay the soldiers' allotment. If the hon. Member can send my right hon. Friend particulars of any case in which it is alleged that this has been done, he will be very glad to look into it.
Sir F. HALLIs there not considerable difficulty in getting any compensation or any allowances from the Civil Liabilities Committee, and will the hon. Gentleman undertake that his Department will facilitate rather than impede the matters that are brought before its notice of a pressing nature?
Mr. WALSHOf course the particular type of claim that is submitted has nothing to do with the question here. This asks whether the Committee has reduced the grant in aid of pre-war or pre-enlistment obligations upon the ground of the increased income of the soldier. We say no such case has come to our notice, and if any such case is brought to our notice it shall have prompt attention. I have not the slightest doubt, if my hon. Friend will submit cases such as he speaks of, they will receive attention.