§ 26. Mr. John Morganasked the Secretary of State for War whether, because of widespread uncertainty, he will restate the conditions which qualify a woman to receive an allowance as if she were the wife of a soldier though unmarried to him; and what steps he takes to prevent abuse of this regulation before or after the allowance is made?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaA special dependants' allowance, at the same rates and under the same other conditions as would be applicable if the parties were married and eligible for family allowance, is issuable to a woman who has lived with a soldier as his wife and who was wholly or substantially maintained by him on a permanent domestic basis for a continuous period of not less than six months immediately before the date of his joining the colours, and for any children of the soldier who are in her care. Awards 1003 under this provision are made only after special local investigation on behalf of the War Office, to verify that the woman concerned fulfils the conditions indicated, and, as a condition of the allowance, the soldier has to contribute from his pay to the same extent as if he were married to the woman. An allowance is liable to be withdrawn at any time if facts subsequently come to the knowledge of the Department which show that its continuance is not warranted.
§ Mr. MorganDoes that arrangement take into account the position of a woman who has been deserted by her husband, against whom a separation order has been made but who makes an allotment to the woman with whom he is living? What is the position of the woman and children left under the separation order?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI think that all those circumstances are covered. If a woman has been deserted by her husband and is living with the soldier—[Interruption.] If two women claimed an allowance for the same soldier it could not be sustained because the soldier has to make an allotment from his pay.
§ Mr. MorganWhat is the position of the soldier who wishes to make an allotment to the woman with whom he is living and has deserted his wife and family for whom a separation order and allowance have been made? What pressure is brought upon the man to do his duty to his wife and children?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIn each case the War Office satisfies itself that the claim is a good one having regard to the circumstances which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned.
§ 28. Captain W. T. Shawasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of instituting a system of children's allowances for officers?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIn peace time, no special allowance is given to married officers under 30. But, in order to assist an officer in war time in the maintenance of his family, provision has been made for the issue of a family lodging allowance which includes supplements for children up to two. In the case of an officer over 1004 30, the peace-time rules provide for family lodging allowance at higher rates varying according to rank, but not according to the size of the family. Married officers over 30 during the war, whether serving on regular or other commissions, have been given the benefit of the peace-time scales.
§ Captain ShawWill my right hon. Friend consider that there is in the Army a large number of junior officers who have four or five young children, and who find it impossible to maintain their families on their present pay; and will he give the same sympathetic consideration to their case as he gave last week to the case of the soldiers?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIf my hon. and gallant Friend looks at the rate of allowance, he will see that those facts have been taken into account.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaTo number.
§ Mr. PooleWill the Minister consider making an allowance for families of more than two children, or does he desire that officers should limit their families to two?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe hon. Gentleman will see that this is a new concession, and it has been very much welcomed.
§ 35. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant a compassionate allowance of 5s. per week to widows whose sons are serving with the Forces?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaUnder the present scheme of dependants' allowances, a widowed mother is already eligible for an allowance of 12s., 17s. or 20s. 6d. a week, including the soldier's allotment, according to circumstances, if by reason of the inability of her son to continue to contribute to her support, as before, hardship is caused, and family allowance for a wife or family is not already in issue. .In special circumstances, where the ordinary regulations do not meet such a case, application can be made for a grant of special assistance which would be dealt with on the advice of the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. WoodburnAre we to understand that the woman will get the allowance even if she cannot prove past dependency?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaShe can go to this tribunal. She cannot get a dependant's allowance unless she was dependent.
§ Mr. WoodburnThat is the point. The question is will the Minister consider granting a compassionate allowance even where dependency cannot be proved and where it is anticipated rather than past?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is why a special tribunal has been established. It deals with allowances outside the ordinary allowances.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not the case that every widow who has a son who is a recruit has to apply for any allowance at all?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, everybody has to apply.
§ Mr. George HallIn view of the discontent prevailing in connection with the working of the scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole scheme of partial dependency allowances?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI shall always be ready, as I have shown the House, to consider any scheme, but I have not yet any facts brought to my notice to show that that description of the scheme is justified.