§ 57. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many applications for dependants' allowances have been received from unmarried men serving in the armed Forces; how many of these applications have been granted, and how many refused; what is the average amount of allowances paid; and what the total cost is at the present rate of payment?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)I have made inquiries from the Service Departments and I understand that the total number of applications for dependants' allowances received up to a recent date was some 63,800, of which 11,800 have been admitted and 21,500 rejected. It would not be possible, without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, to ascertain precisely how many of these applications were from unmarried men and what is the average amount and total cost of allowances in payment.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is growing dissatisfaction in regard to this matter, and will he go into it carefully and consider revision?
§ Captain CrookshankQuestions on this subject had better be addressed to my right hon. Friends who are in charge of the Service Departments.
§ Mr. GallacherIs a family means test applied before dependants' allowances are given?