RE-ENLISTED MEN (ALLOWANCES). (Hansard, 26 June 1919)

§ 12. Colonel ASHLEY
asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the childless wives of soldiers who have re-enlisted after the expiration of their demobilisation leave for service with the relief force for Russia have been denied by local war pensions committees the special grant of 6s. 6d. per week, in spite of the fact that the War Office advertisements appealing for men state that they would receive pay, allowances, and bonus as now given to men in the Armies of Occupation; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

§ THE MINISTER OF PENSIONS (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)
I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Joint Patronage Secretary on behalf of the War Office to my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford on the 28th May, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

§ Colonel ASHLEY
If I give the right hon. Gentleman the information upon which this question is based will he look into it?

§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
Of course I will look into it; but it is really a matter for the War Office.

§ Mr. HOGGE
As the 6s. 6d. is really separation allowance can my right hon. Friend say why the Ministry of Pensions are not paying it to the childless wives of the men who have re-enlisted in Russia?

§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
That question was answered by the Joint Financial Secretary, and I refer to that answer in ray answer to-day. It is a long story that of re-enlisted men, but they are not entitled to this supplementary separation allowance.

§ Mr. HOGGE
By what authority has the payment of this 6s. 6d. been stopped in the case of the childless wives of the men who re-enlisted in Russia?

§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
The payment has not been stopped; the terms of re-enlistment do not provide for payment.

§ Sir E. CARSON
Is a re-enlisted man worse off than another man?

HON. MEMBERS
Yes!

§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
The men have re-enlisted under the terms of a certain Army Order to which reference is made in the answer of 28th May. A re-enlisted man receives what he is entitled to under that Army Order, that does not include the 6s. 6d.

Major J. EDWARDS
Is that an inducement for re-enlistment, Sir?

§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS
That does not arise out of the question.