§ 22. Mr. STOKERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has been informed of the case heard in the Nottingham Summons Court on Monday, 31st March, 1919, on an application by a wife for an increase of separation, allowance of 25s., under the Married Women's Act, when the defendant, who was described as a waste-paper dealer, admitted that he was in receipt of a pension of £1 13s. 3d., out-of-work pay of £1 9s., and out-of-work pay in respect of five children, for whom, whilst the wife was maintaining them, he was 2197 drawing the allowance of 18s., making a total of £4 0s. 3d., for performing no service of public utility; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to deal with this state of affairs?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)I have been asked to reply to this question. Time has not permitted of the inquiries which I am making into this case being completed. I may say, however, that supplementary donation is not payable in respect of children unless they are actually dependent on the applicant. As regards the pension referred to, which I assume to be a pension on account of disability arising from military service, the Government follow the principle which they have asked employers to observe in fixing wages, and do not take such a pension into account on a claim for donation.