HC Deb 23 October 1918 vol 110 cc757-8
26. Mr. STANTON

asked the Under-Secretary of Stats for War if his Department will consider the convenience of soldiers' wives and mothers in the Aberdare district, South Wales, by arranging with the post offices to pay out moneys on Friday or Saturday mornings, Saturday being the market day, when these people could spend the money to greater advantage; whether he is aware that at present the soldiers' wives and mothers are paid out upon the Monday and Tuesday, and that they cannot get fresh vegetables, fish, etc., at market prices; and whether his Department will move in the matter at once?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In addition to separation allowances the post office pays Army and Navy pensions, old age pensions, and other allowances, and it is necessary to distribute these payments over the days of the week. It would not be possible to undertake the payment of separation allowances On Friday, on which day old age pensions are payable, or on Saturdays which is always a particularly busy day at post offices. I gave full details in my speech on the Post Office Estimates on 12th June.

Mr. HOGGE

Does my right hon. Friend seriously ask the House to believe that because he has to pay old age pensions on Friday to a very limited number of people as compared with the wives of soldiers, he cannot transfer them from the Friday to Monday and allow the wives of soldiers, who are the greater number, to have the more convenient day?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

If the hon. Member will look at the answer of the 12th of June he will see that I gave full reasons for it.

Mr. STANTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that my information came from the residents, who happen to know that the local post office authorities could conveniently arrange to pay on Thursday or Friday? This means everything to the poor people to whom these scanty allowances are paid.

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I am afraid that the hon. Member is misinformed. It is not possible to pay them on the same day.

Mr. STANTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I will make inquiries again and see if it is possible. I am only too anxious, as everybody else is, to do whatever is possible in the matter.